(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) recently joined members of the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht & Boating Clubs (GHCYBC) for a Meet the Commodores night. As part of the evening’s activities, Jackie Martin was installed as the GHCYBC Commodore.

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci joins Bill Saltzman, past GHCYBC Commodore, Huntington Yacht Club Commodore James Archdeacon, GHCYBC Commodore Jackie Martin, Huntington Town Councilman Mark Mayoka, Huntington Town Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and Town of Huntington Harbor Master Harry Acker.

“For hundreds of years, the lives of residents across Long Island have been shaped by our proximity to the Sound and the Atlantic,” said Lupinacci. “Today, the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs works to encourage the sport of boating, promote safe seamanship and advocate for marine safety and environmental protection issues. Thanks to the work of over 4,500 recreational boating families in the Town of Huntington, these important traditions will continue in a safe and responsible manner for generations to come.”

Bellone:  BOOST Incentive Helps Business Expand Operations

(Hauppauge, NY) – The Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) announced that it has approved an incentives package for Vitamix Laboratories, a growing force in the vitamin and supplements industry. The company is the latest to benefit from BOOST, an IDA program launched in 2012 to aid companies in high growth areas including pharmacology, bio and life sciences, green technology, energy, and information technology.

“Vitamix Laboratories is a natural fit for the BOOST program,” said IDA Executive Director Anthony Manetta. “They are well-positioned to grow in the precise industries BOOST is designed to bring to Suffolk County.”

Currently based in Farmingdale, Vitamix Laboratories is a manufacturer of high quality nutritional supplements. Vitamix Laboratories plans to move their operation to a facility located at 69 Mall Drive in Commack. The 23,175 square foot facility would allow Vitamix Laboratories to expand their operation, increase their workforce, and move to a location closer to their client base and support industries.

The project, which is estimated to cost $250,000, includes renovation costs of $95,000 and a total equipment investment of $108,000. Vitamix Laboratories, which currently employs 11 individuals at an average salary of $38,182, plans to hire six new employees in the first year of operation and 14 more the following year, nearly tripling its current workforce in just a two year period. The IDA will provide the project with property tax savings of $67,091 and a sales tax abatement worth $7,892.

“Vitamix Laboratories is intending to take advantage of the industrial clustering opportunities the BOOST program was designed to create,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “We look forward to their continued expansion into Suffolk County.”

Added Joanne Minieri, Deputy County Executive, Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning, and Vice-Chairperson of the Suffolk IDA, “The Suffolk IDA is taking major steps to help innovative local companies grow their business. We are very confident Vitamix Laboratories will maximize their growth potential right here in Suffolk County.”

About the Suffolk County IDA:
The Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is a public benefit corporation of the State of New York. The purpose of the agency is to promote economic development within Suffolk County. The operations of the agency are not supported by taxpayer funds, rather fees generated by the applicants. The Suffolk County IDA works in synergy with Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone and Economic Development Commissioner Joanne Minieri to foster positive economic development within the County.

For more information regarding the Suffolk County IDA log on to www.suffolkida.org.

(Long Island, NY) The New York State Senate today passed legislation that would increase the fines for littering on highways and the lands next to them. The bill (S.2311), sponsored by Senator John DeFrancisco (R-I-C, Syracuse), doubles the fines for littering.

“Littering not only impacts the appearance of the roadways, it also can pose driving hazards, and trash is very costly to remove,” said Senator DeFrancisco. “Stiffening the fines for those who are caught throwing trash on the highways should help to serve as a deterrent, and help to clean up
the roadways in our state.”

The fine for a first offense would be $700 and $1,400 for a second offense.

The bill will be sent to the Assembly.

Measures Increase Commercial Fuel Tax Exemption and Provide Low-Interest Loans to Dairy Farms for Energy-Efficient Technologies

(Long Island, NY) The New York State Senate today passed two bills that would help businesses save money by increasing commercial tax exemptions for heating fuel and helping dairy farms invest in energy-efficient technology. The measures would reduce the cost of doing business in New York State to help spur economic growth in agriculture and other key industries.

The first bill (S3471), sponsored by Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats), helps attract and retain businesses by offsetting high energy costs. The measure would provide a full tax exemption for fuel used in nonresidential heating. Businesses would save approximately $7 million a year by expanding the current commercial exemption for the state’s petroleum business tax from 70 percent to 100 percent.

‘We need to keep taking step after step to improve this state’s business climate. This legislation targets one of the heaviest burdens facing all small businesses – high energy costs,” said Senator O’Mara. “It’s one more way to try to keep changing New York’s reputation as a high tax, over-regulated state.”

Another bill (S1081A) passed today and sponsored by Senator George D. Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) would create an energy efficiency loan fund to provide grants and low-interest loans to dairy farms for advanced energy technologies and projects that boost energy efficiency. As family farms continue to struggle with depressed wholesale milk prices, this loan fund would provide low-cost tools to farmers to help purchase high efficiency lighting, high efficiency pumping and cooling equipment, and other energy management systems.

“Dairy farms are some of the biggest energy users in New York,” said Senator Maziarz, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee. “This legislation will help dairy farms decrease their energy costs, and in turn will provide them with more capital to spend on their farms, such as buying larger herds. With New York being the largest yogurt-producing state in the country, this cost-saving measure will only help grow that industry even more and provide New York with an even bigger market.”

The bills have been sent to the Assembly.

Measure Prohibits Use of Phones or Hands-Free Devices By Those With Learner’s Permits

(Long Island, NY) The New York State Senate today passed a bill to protect young and inexperienced drivers by helping to remove distractions that could lead to accidents. The legislation (S1511A), sponsored by Senator Carl Marcellino (R, Syosset), prohibits the use of cell phones – including hands-free devices – by drivers who hold learner’s permits.

“Young and inexperienced drivers, holding only a learner’s permit, are behind the wheel for one purpose – to learn how to safely operate a vehicle. These drivers need their full attention on the road and for the task of becoming a responsible driver,” said Senator Marcellino. “Even the best teenage drivers don’t have the judgment that comes with experience. Until a new driver has some skill and experience, the use of cell phones while driving should be banned.”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that young drivers make up just seven percent of the driving population, but are involved in 15 percent of the fatal crashes. The NTSB recommended that all states prohibit holders of learner’s permits or a class DJ or MJ license from using wireless mobile telephones while driving.

This bill takes the unnecessary distractions of cell phones and hands-free devices out of the hands of drivers possessing only a learner’s permit or a class DJ or MJ license.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly.

(Mineola, NY) – Nassau County Bar Association President Marian Rice announced today that matrimonial attorney Lee Rosenberg of Huntington has been presented with the 2013 Directors’ Award in recognition for his dedication and excellent work as chair of NCBA’s Matrimonial Law Committee.

For the past two years, Rosenberg has served as a member of the NCBA Board of Directors and as chair of NCBA’s largest committee, providing educational programs for attorneys and judges on the newest developments in matrimonial law. He also presented numerous resolutions from the Committee to advance substantive and procedural changes in matrimonial law, which were approved by the NCBA Board of Directors. Those resolutions became official positions of the Bar, and provided Nassau County with a strong voice to be heard the Court System as well as the Executive and Legislative branches in Albany on issues ranging from marriage equality to dissemination of forensic custody evaluations to spousal support legislation, among others.

Lee Rosenberg is a partner at Saltzman Chetkof & Rosenberg LLP in Garden City practicing in the field of matrimonial and family law for over 20 years as a litigator and appellate counsel.

He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers where he is National Parliamentarian and a member of the New York Chapter Board of Managers. He is a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a Barrister of the New York Family Law American Inn of Court. Rosenberg continues to be listed in “Best Lawyers in America” and as a New York Super Lawyer in family law in the New York metropolitan area, which recognizes a very small percentage of attorneys within their field of practice.

Rosenberg is a frequent lecturer and published author and has been widely quoted by the New York Law Journal, the Wall Street Journal, Newsday and others on many matrimonial law issues. His articles have been cited by the trial and appellate courts of this State.

In addition to his litigation and appellate practice, Rosenberg was trained in divorce mediation by the New York State Judicial Institute and acts as a Fee Dispute Arbitrator in matrimonial matters.

Nassau County Bar Association
Founded in 1899, the Nassau County Bar Association, with a membership of nearly 6,000 private and public attorneys, judges, legal educators and law students, is the largest suburban bar association in the country. NCBA demonstrates its commitment to the community by offering a variety of services for the public, including lawyer referral services, senior citizen and mortgage foreclosure clinics, judicial screening, public education programs and support for the Volunteer Lawyers Project, which provides much-needed free legal services for the indigent of Nassau County. The WE CARE Fund, the NCBA’s charitable arm, assists children, the elderly and others in need, through countless projects and donations.

For more information, call (516) 747-4070 (language translation available), email info@nassaubar.org, or visit www.nassaubar.org. 

(Long Island, NY) Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce that Erin A. Sidaras and Robert M. Connelly have recently joined the offices of Farrell Fritz.

Erin A. Sidaras, a Shirley, NY resident, counsel to the firm concentrating in land use & municipal law.

Erin A. Sidaras, a Shirley, NY resident, is counsel to the firm concentrating in land use & municipal law.  She represents clients in land use and development applications before municipal boards, including zoning and planning boards, and handles applications for site plan review, subdivisions and variances in towns and villages throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties.  Ms. Sidaras works closely with architects, engineers, surveyors and other land use and development professionals in preparing and presenting these applications.  She also represents clients in State and Federal Court at both the trial and appellate level in connection with litigation matters involving towns and villages.  Ms. Sidaras has extensive experience in matters involving disputed title to real property.  She is resident in the firm’s Hauppauge office.

Prior to joining Farrell Fritz, Ms. Sidaras was in private practice in Central Islip, NY.  She also worked at other Long Island and New York City-based law firms; as Deputy Town Attorney (2009 to 2011) and Assistant Town Attorney (2002 to 2009) for the Town of Islip and as co-owner of Title Insurance Company, underwriting real estate titles.

Ms. Sidaras earned her Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, where she was the Managing Editor of the Touro Law Review.  She received her M.B.A. from Dowling College and her B.S. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Ms. Sidaras is admitted to practice in New York State, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  She is a member of the New York State and Suffolk County Bar Associations and an Appointed Foreclosure Referee in New York State Courts.

Robert M. Connelly, an East Setauket, NY resident, associate in the firm’s commercial litigation department, concentrating in land use & municipal law.

Robert M. Connelly, an East Setauket, NY resident, is an associate in the firm’s commercial litigation department, concentrating in land use & municipal law.  He is resident in the firm’s Bridgehampton office.

Most recently, Mr. Connelly was the Assistant Town Attorney for the East Hampton Town Attorney’s Office.  Previously, he had been an Associate Attorney at a Garden City, NY firm and Assistant District Attorney for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, where he handled matters on behalf of the Economic Crimes, Case Advisory, East End and District Court Bureaus.

Mr. Connelly is a member of the American, New York State and Suffolk County Bar Associations, The Guild of Catholic Lawyers and the Brehon Society.

Mr. Connelly earned his Juris Doctorate degree, cum laude, from Hofstra University School of Law, where he was a member of the Public Justice Foundation, the Federalist Society and the Corporate Law Society.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from Fordham University.  Mr. Connelly is licensed to practice before all of the Courts of New York State (admission pending to the Eastern District of New York).

About Farrell Fritz
Farrell Fritz is a full service law firm that has earned a strong reputation in the New York business community.  The firm handles legal matters in the areas of bankruptcy & creditors’ rights; commercial litigation; condemnation & eminent domain; construction; corporate & banking; distressed assets; emerging companies & venture capital; environmental; estate litigation; healthcare; labor & employment; land use, municipal & zoning; real estate; tax planning & controversy; tax certiorari and trusts & estates for a variety of corporations, not-for-profit organizations and individuals. 

For more information, please visit https://www.farrellfritz.com, as well as Facebook and LinkedIn.

(Long Island, NY) On May 26, 2013, Senator Lee Zeldin (R, C, I- Shirley) attended the Great River Memorial Day Parade.

Pictured here with Senator Zeldin and Boy Scout Troop 205 is Islip Town Supervisor Tom Croci, Councilman Anthony Senft, Councilwoman Trish Bergin-Weichbrodt, and Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino.

(Rockville Centre, NY) – Catholic Health Services (CHS) has named Alan D. Guerci, MD, president and chief executive officer (CEO), effective July 1. He is currently executive vice president for CHS and president and CEO of CHS’s St. Francis Hospital, Mercy Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital. Dr. Guerci succeeds Richard J.J. Sullivan, Jr., who has been serving as the system’s CEO on a voluntary basis since December 2012, in addition to his ongoing duties as chairman of CHS’s Board of Directors.

Alan D. Guerci, MD, has been named president and CEO for Catholic Health Services.

“Dr. Guerci brings more than 20 years of service to CHS and has established himself in the Long Island community as a highly respected physician and accomplished health care leader,” said Sullivan. “He is well versed in hospital administration and is focused on Christ’s healing mission and achieving the highest levels of quality with a commitment to excellence and financial stewardship.”

Prior to assuming executive leadership for St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center®, in 1999 (and Mercy and St. Joseph more recently), Dr. Guerci—a nationally renowned cardiologist—was St. Francis’s executive vice president for medical affairs and director of research. Previously, he served as director of the Coronary Care Unit at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, as well as chairman of the Clinical Trials Review Committee of the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

At St. Francis, Dr. Guerci oversaw the largest expansion project in the hospital’s history, the first phase of which was completed in 2008 with the opening of the 158,000-square-foot Nancy and Frederick DeMatteis Pavilion. In October of 2012, St. Francis’s newly renovated Emergency Department (ED) was unveiled—the region’s first “green” ED, featuring electrically operated privacy glass, high-efficiency light fixtures and other innovations to minimize the facility’s “footprint”.

After graduating from Harvard College, Dr. Guerci earned his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College and a master’s degree in health care management from the Harvard School of Public Health. He completed postgraduate training as an intern, resident and chief resident at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in cardiology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he advanced to the rank of associate professor of medicine before joining St. Francis. In addition, he is an associate professor of clinical medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University.

Dr. Guerci resides in Sea Cliff with his wife, Leslie.

Catholic Health Services (CHS) is an integrated system encompassing some of the region’s finest health and human services agencies. With six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, a home health agency, hospice, a community-based agency for persons with special needs and a regional lab, CHS’s high standards have resulted in a nearly 24% market share.

Senator Lee Zeldin Attends Lake Ronkonkoma Memorial Day Parade

(Long Island, NY) On May 27, 2013, Senator Lee Zeldin (R, C, I- Shirley) attended the Lake Ronkonkoma Memorial Day Parade.

Pictured with Senator Zeldin is Assemblyman Al Graf.