Discusses success of the 2013 Legislative Session

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) recently joined the Huntington Chapter of the League of Women Voters to update them on the results of the 2013 Legislative Session. During the meeting, Lupinacci highlighted his fight to restore education aid as one of the defining moments of his first session.

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci addresses a recent meeting of the League of Women Voters Huntington Chapter.

“This was a tremendously fast-paced and important legislative session, which was highlighted by several key aid restorations, including school aid for our local schools and funding to care for people with developmental disabilities,” said Lupinacci. “A $2.5 billion investment in our local schools reaffirmed our commitment to education, and that’s something I feel is tremendously important. In addition, we helped extend the lowest middle-class income tax rate in over 50 years and ensured that local seniors will continue to receive the EPIC co-payment assistance so many rely on. However, it was not a completely successful session. In light of the allegations of sexual harassment in the Assembly, more should have been done to protect women in the workplace.”

Program to be offered through Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine

(Melville, NY) North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA) and the North Shore–LIJ Health System today announced the creation of an  anesthesiology residency program at the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. The accredited program will begin in July 2014.

As the primary anesthesiology provider for the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NAPA has played a critical role in building the residency program. John F. Di Capua, MD, NAPA’s deputy chief executive officer and chief medical officer, will chair the program. Dr. Di Capua also serves concurrently as the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine’s Peter Walker Associate professor and chairman of anesthesiology, and senior vice president of anesthesiology services at the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

A strong advocate of the program, NAPA established the program curriculum, and supported critical research and scholarly initiatives.  In addition, NAPA division chiefs and anesthesiologists will serve as the faculty for the anesthesia residency program, providing clinical training, expertise and research opportunities to the residents, with a goal of training physicians to become distinguished anesthesiologists.

“As the health system evolves and presents new clinical education opportunities through the medical school, NAPA has committed to partnering and aligning with North Shore-LIJ in its endeavors,” said John F. Di Capua, MD. “A private practice within an academic setting allows for a unique training experience, thus preparing a physician for the demands of a modern day practice. Our practice looks forward to contributing to the specialty of anesthesiology through this residency program as we provide the future of our field with the proper clinical education and tools to succeed in both a challenging and rewarding environment.”

The anesthesiology residency program at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ is designed to provide residents with the academic foundation, meticulous training and clinical skills necessary to deliver the highest quality patient care in the specialty of anesthesiology. Gaining exposure to diverse clinical materials, rigorous didactics and research projects will assist residents in reaching their professional goals while developing into the perioperative medicine leaders of tomorrow.

Most of the residency program’s clinical activities will occur at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY, and Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, NY,  where the Department of Anesthesiology performs more than 80,000 anesthetic procedures annually. In addition, residents participate in required one-month assignments at Franklin Hospital in Valley Stream, NY, and Syosset Hospital to take advantage of their expertise in regional anesthesiology and pain management, respectively.

To learn more about the anesthesiology residency program, please visit www.northshorelij.com.

About North Shore-LIJ Health System
The nation’s third-largest, non-profit, secular healthcare system, North Shore-LIJ delivers world-class clinical care throughout the New York metropolitan area, pioneering research at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and a visionary approach to medical education, highlighted by the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. North Shore-LIJ cares for people at every stage of life at 16 hospitals, long-term care facilities and nearly 400 outpatient physician practices throughout the region. North Shore-LIJ’s owned hospitals and long-term care facilities house more than 6,000 beds, employ more than 10,000 nurses and have affiliations with more than 9,400 physicians. With a workforce of more than 46,000, North Shore-LIJ is the largest employer on Long Island and the third-largest private employer in New York City.  

For more information, go to www.northshorelij.com.

About North American Partners in Anesthesia
Founded in 1986, North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA) is the leading single specialty anesthesia management company in the United States. NAPA is comprised of the most respected clinical staff, providing thousands of patients with superior and attentive care. The company is known for partnering with hospitals and other health care facilities across the nation to provide anesthesia services and perioperative leadership that maximize operating room performance, enhance revenue, and demonstrate consistent patient and surgeon satisfaction ratings.

For more information, please visit www.NAPAanesthesia.com.

Saturday, July 13 Concert at Heckscher State Park Will Help Raise Funds for United Way of Long Island’s Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund

(Bethpage, NY) Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State’s largest credit union, is pleased to present the Islip Arts Council’s annual concert in the park, “Recovery Through the Arts – Play it Forward,” featuring the Atlantic Wind Symphony and Swingtime Big Band taking place on Saturday, July 13, 2012 at 8 PM at Heckscher State Park in East Islip. Free to the public, the event is dedicated to those still putting their lives back together from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. The Islip Arts Council, in partnership with the United Way of Long Island, will donate a portion of the net proceeds from the event to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund, established to address the near and long-term recovery needs of communities that FEMA has declared disaster areas.

The event will turn Heckscher State Park in East Islip into a giant Concert Hall, featuring the Atlantic Wind Symphony and Swingtime Big Band and include a spectacular fireworks display by Grucci immediately following the concert. There is no admission charge. Last summer, over 30,000 attended the annual free concert by the Islip Arts Council.

Directed by Bob Levy, the Atlantic Wind Symphony will play a variety of music beginning with Shostakovich, and including Sousa marches and some patriotic tunes, as well as the 1812 Overture. Directed by Steve Shaiman, the Swingtime Big Band will play music from the 30s and 40s.

“Bethpage is very pleased to partner with the Islip Arts Council to help bring this free, annual concert to the community,” said Linda Armyn, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Bethpage. “This year’s concert will help draw much needed, continued attention to Long Island’s Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts, which remain in full force. A portion of the donations from the event will be granted to charities that are addressing the recovery needs of Long Island. We are proud to play a key role in helping make this happen.”

“We are thrilled once again to have Bethpage as a partner at this year’s concert, as Long Islanders help Long Islanders, and Long Island artists perform a rousing concert of American band music,” said Lynda A. Moran, Executive Director, Islip Arts Council. “The Islip Arts Council could not have produced this beloved free event for the community for more than 34 years with the assistance of sponsors like Bethpage.”

For more information on parking and directions, please call (631) 224-5420 or visit www.isliparts.org. For more information on other Bethpage-sponsored Summer events, please visit www.bethpagefcu.com/community/events.

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.

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 including King Kullen, CVS Pharmacy, 7-11 and Costco locations throughout Long Island. For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit www.bethpagefcu.com.

(Long Island, NY) “Far too often, we’ve seen the devastating and fatal consequences of young drivers texting behind the wheel,” Assemblyman Edward Hennessey (D-Medford) said. “I spearheaded this measure through the Assembly to crack down on this problem before we lose more innocent lives to reckless driving. This new law sends a clear message out to young, inexperienced drivers: Texting while driving will not be tolerated in New York State.”

Currently, probationary and junior licensed drivers face a 60 day suspension for traffic violations such as speeding or reckless driving. If another violation occurs within six months, probationary license drivers will have their license revoked for six months and junior license drivers will have their license revoked for 60 days. This new legislation, which takes effect immediately, will impose these same penalties on drivers with probationary and junior licenses for texting while driving (A.7739).

“I am the father of two boys so I face these fears every day my children get into a car,” Hennessey said. “We need all drivers, especially young drivers, to understand that any message they think they need to read or send can wait – their lives, as well as others, may depend on it.”

From 2005-2011, there has been an approximate 143 percent increase in cell phone-related crashes in New York State. In 2011-2012 there was a 234 percent increase in the number of tickets issued for texting while driving, Assemblyman Hennessey noted.

“By increasing the penalties for texting while driving, we are sending a clear message that drivers must focus on driving, not reading or sending text messages,” Assemblyman Hennessey concluded.

NYCB Theatre at Westbury Sunday, September 22

(Long Island, NY) Graham Nash has helped shape the world around him through ideas, innovations, and influential works of art for more than four decades. One of music’s most legendary singer-songwriters and vocal harmonists, Nash has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice-once with The Hollies in 2010 and once with Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1997; Nash was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009. Graham will return to the NYCB Theatre at Westbury on Sunday, September 22, 2013 for a very special solo performance.

Long Island Cares, Inc. has a limited number of premium tickets for this concert, which also include passes to the Live Nation 960 Lounge. Our block of tickets are $75 each and all net proceeds will support our Endowment Fund.

If you would like to reserve tickets please contact Claire Fratello at (631) 582-3663 x 102 or email cfratello@licares.org.

(Long Island, NY) The Following is a Statement from David VanLuven, Policy Director:

“One of the few areas of agreement between the Senate and Assembly this session was on Governor Cuomo’s proposal to make New York a national leader in the development of clean, renewable power. His plan would have extended the NY-Sun Initiative through 2023. However, negotiations broke down and nothing got accomplished.

Governor Cuomo says he is serious about fighting climate change. He says he is committed to modernizing New York’s energy infrastructure with solar power. This summer Governor Cuomo should walk the talk and act on his own to extend the NY-Sun Initiative for another decade.

New Yorkers cannot afford the Legislature’s inability to reconcile their differences. Other states are leaving us behind when it comes to clean energy and the thousands of jobs the industry creates. Governor Cuomo has the authority, now he must act to make New York a leader in renewable power.”

(Long Island, NY) Businesses and nonprofits seeking to develop their social media outreach efforts will find FMC’s Summer Social Media Boot Camp the perfect way to jump start their efforts. Highlighted by a morning keynote address by Edelman PR’s Steve Rubel, the event features six workshops, plenty of networking and a dress code of shorts and flip flops. It happens on July 19, 7.30 a.m. to 12 noon at Briarcliffe College, Bethpage, N.Y.

Rubel is the chief content strategist at Edelman PR– the largest public relations firm in the world. With more than 70,000 followers on Twitter, Rubel has built a career by being ahead of the curve. An active blogger, he also shares his insights in “The Clip Report,” a virtual scrapbook about the emerging future of media.

FMC’s Summer Social Media Boot Camp is a half-day event, attracting businesses and nonprofits from the region who are eager to learn and network in a casual environment. Six workshops feature impressive speakers from a wide range of organizations.

Topics include:

• Using Social Media to Promote Social Change
• Using Social Media to Create an Emotional Connection to Your Brand
• Crowd Sourcing & What It Can Do for your Brand & your Community
• How to Blog Like a Pro
• Using Social Media to Get the News Media’s Attention
• How Social Media Has Benefited Organizations

Current sponsors for the event include WeiserMazars, St. Joseph’s College, Briarcliffe College and BigBuzz Marketing Group. Sponsorships are still available. For inquiries about sponsorships, email Meghan Lombardo at meghan@fairmediacouncil.org. Tickets are $80 for FMC members, $95 for nonmembers and $50 for students with a valid ID. Register online at www.fairmediacouncil.org or call 516-224-1860, ext. 706.

The Fair Media Council (FMC) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that educates businesses, nonprofits and the public to become media savvy. FMC also advocates for quality local news coverage and has about 200 New York Metro area businesses and nonprofits as members.

For more information, visit www.fairmediacouncil.org.

(Long Island, NY) In response to a state report that inaccurately stated the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office did not investigate the death of an inmate in 2011, D.A. Thomas Spota today released the contents of his letter to the State Commission of Correction asking why the Commission never contacted his office to interview prosecutors, to review investigative files, or to give the district attorney an opportunity to correct the record before the release of the Commission’s factually inaccurate report.

The District Attorney said the office of Governor Andrew Cuomo “has also been advised of our concerns over the failure of the State Commission’s investigation”.

The text of the letter to the Commission is attached.

(New York, NY) –  Opening a new front in the battle over fracking, Wednesday citizens in yet another neighboring state – Massachusetts – called on their legislators to ban the processing of fracking wastewater.  In response, Environment New York field organizer Eric Whalen issued the following statement:

“Laced with cancer-causing and even radioactive materials, the millions of gallons of toxic wastewater generated by fracking are among the most compelling reasons for New York to abandon the path of dirty drilling.  Our neighbors certainly think so.  Looking at how fracking in Pennsylvania led to the export of fracking waste to surrounding states including New York, every single one of New York’s neighbors is sending a message about such waste in terms they hope Albany will understand : fuhgettaaboutit.”

• Vermont banned the processing of fracking waste (and fracking itself) in the spring of 2012;
• New Jersey’s Legislature voted for a similar waste ban last summer overwhelmingly, and they are planning to hold a vote to override Gov. Chris Christie’s veto of the measure later this year;
• Connecticut legislators introduced a waste ban bill this year;
• In Massachusetts, a bill similar to Vermont’s has picked up 14 co-sponsors, and on Wednesday garnered the support of more than 10,000 citizens signing a petition against fracking; and
• Pennsylvania and Ohio are already inundated with fracking wastewater.

“In other words, none of our neighbors are willing or able to be a dumping ground for New York’s toxic fracking waste.  This fact draws into sharp relief that fracking proponents have presented no credible plan to safely manage the billions of pounds of toxic waste that would be generated by a fracking boom in New York.”

“We urge Governor Cuomo to recognize this toxic regional calculus, and close the door on dirty drilling.

(Montauk, NY) Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk) announces the summer bus service for the S94 shuttle Montauk Village to Montauk Point Lighthouse.  The S94 service is a connecting bus service and will be available Monday thru Saturday from Friday, July 5, 2013 to Saturday, August 31, 2013.

The bus schedule is available on the Suffolk County Transit Bus website at www.sct-bus.org or please see the following links http://sct-bus.org/schedules/s94.pdf.

Representing the South Fork, Jay Schneiderman is the Suffolk County Legislator for the Second Legislative District. He is also chairman of the County Legislature’s Public Works and Transportation Committee. For more information, or to arrange an interview, please call at (631) 852-8400.