(Rockville Centre, NY) Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray was joined by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Town of Hempstead Senior Councilman Anthony Santino at the Second Annual Rockville Centre Lion’s Club Dinner in the Dark.

Pictured (L-R) Dinner in the Dark Co-Chair Jeanne Mulry; Dinner in the Dark Co-Chair Joan MacNaughton; President of Entertainment Unlimited Ted Fass; Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano; DJS Transport, Inc. Owner Donald Steinart; President and COO of Vehicle Services America Robert Klein; Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray; Town of Hempstead Senior Councilman Anthony J. Santino; Rockville Centre Trustee Kevin Glynn

This year the Rockville Centre Lions honored Ted Fass, President of Entertainment Unlimited by Ted Fass, who spearheaded the formation of the Long Island Blind Bombers, a blind and visually impaired beep-baseball team, for whom he is Executive Director as well as a player; Robert Klein, President and COO of Vehicle Services of America, who along with the Lion’s Club is credited with introducing “Beeper Ball” to the Rockville Centre Little League to help grow awareness of the needs of the visually impaired; and Donald Steinert, owner of DJS Transport, Inc., who was very active in Rockville Centre Little League, serving as Chairman of the Board and Vice-president, and worked on the Beeper Ball initiative. The Rockville Centre Lions Club is proud to announce that a portion of the proceeds of the Second Annual Dinner in the Dark will benefit the Long Island Bombers and the RVC Little League Challenger Division.

The Rockville Centre Lions Club has been serving the community since 1934, and strives to fight blindness and diabetes on a global and local level. A portion of the proceeds of the Second Annual Dinner in the Dark will benefit the Long Island Bombers and the RVC Little League Challenger Division.

(Rockville Centre, NY) Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Mayor was in attendance at the Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre’s Annual Scholarship Dinner. Mayor Murray accepted an award on behalf of his mother, Mary Lou Murray, for her dedication to the people of Rockville Centre and specifically, the Hispanic community the Brotherhood serves.

The Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization established in 1984 by a small group of Latino residents in order to assist the fast growing population of immigrants from different Spanish language cultures.

Pictured (L-R) Winthrop University Hospital President & CEO John Collins; Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray; Rockville Centre Police Detective Michael Norwood; Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy L. Goosby; Town of Hempstead Senior Councilman Anthony J. Santino: Briarcliffe College President Dr. George Santiago, Jr.; Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre President Peter Herrera; Rockville Centre Trustee Kevin Glynn; Hampton Inns & Suites Manager Cristina Velez; Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre Executive Director Margarita Grasing; Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos.

The agency provides a wide range of resettlement services, an After-School Child Care and Tutorial Program, and the Hispanic Brotherhood Senior Citizen Club. Resettlement services include housing and employment counseling (including housing referrals and job placement), translation, immigration and legal assistance, naturalization and citizenship counseling, advocacy for individuals and groups in disputes such as tenant/landlord and employer/employee, and emergency food.

(Long Island, NY) Tuesday at the Suffolk County Legislature’s general meeting, the Legislature unanimously approved Legislator Jay Schneiderman’s (I-Montauk) legislation to cut county parking fees in half on Thursday, June 27 in an effort to attract new parks patrons and boost revenue for Suffolk County. The legislation designates the day as “Discover Suffolk County Parks Day”.

“In these challenging economic times, many county residents are staying on Long Island instead of vacationing elsewhere during the summer months,” said Legislator Schneiderman, “and there is no better place to enjoy the natural beauty of Long Island than our vast network of parks. We have thousands of acres of parks offering spectacular beaches, beautiful woodlands, camping, fishing and a huge variety of other activities for Long Island residents. What better way to offer residents an introduction to the pleasures of our parks than to offer them a discounted admission fee?”

Under Legislator Schneiderman’s pilot program, on June 27th, 2013, parking fees at County parks will be reduced to the discounted Green Key fee, which is approximately one half of the normal fee. The County’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation is directed to publicize “Discover Suffolk County Parks Day” via the departmental website and through press releases.

Representing the South Fork, Jay Schneiderman is the Suffolk County Legislator for the Second Legislative District. For more information, or to arrange an interview, please call (631) 852-8400.

Person of Interest Composite Released

(Long Island, NY) Nassau County Police Department officials and school officials held a press conference this week in front of Roland A. Chatterton Elementary School, located at 108 Merrick Avenue in Merrick, to discuss an increase in police presence and the use of electronic surveillance in Merrick and Bellmore in light of several “stranger” incidences in the Merrick community.

The Nassau County Police Department also released a composite sketch of an individual that fit the description in some of the incidences. The individual is considered a “Person of Interest” that the police are looking to identify and speak to relating to this matter, according to Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano.

“The Nassau County Police Department has not only increased patrols, but is also employing the use of electronic surveillance and license plate readers,” he said. “I ask our residents to perform a role as well. If something doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t right. Trust your gut. Call 911. I have intensified patrols that continue today and will not end until the individuals approaching our children are found. Our children are our most precious resource and their safety is my number one priority. Our officers and detectives are working on this matter around the clock.”

Here are the reported incidences:

April 26, 2013 – At approximately 7:45a.m., at the corner of Merrick Avenue and Smith Street, an 8th grade male student who was walking to school was approached by a Hispanic man on the sidewalk. The man spoke to the student in Spanish and attempted to grab him by the arm but failed to make physical contact. The man appeared to be in his late thirties with a mustache, a dark jacket, dark blue jeans, and bushy black hair. The student ran away from the man and the man did not follow him. The student immediately reported the incident to the main office at Merrick Avenue Middle School and the Nassau County Police came to the school to investigate.

April 25, 2013 – Complainant believes she observed a male white in listed vehicle taking photographs of children as they got off school bus at around 3:45p.m. on Hewlett Lane and Marie Court, using a computer tablet. Vehicle left scene prior to police arrival. Complainant cannot say with certainty that male was photographing children.

April 19, 2013 – The North Merrick School District reported the following: Right after dismissal, three 6th grade students, walking home near Fraser and William Streets, when a 4 door grayish car with a male driver approached. The driver attempted to communicate with the students and the students ran away.

April 18, 2013 – Late afternoon, a 6th Grader reported she may have been followed by a white van after leaving her bus stop near Bay and Harbor.

April 18, 2013 – A female 15 year old who attends Mepham High School stated that she heard announcements at school about a green car following students home. Reporting person stated that while she was walking on Lincoln Blvd. at approximately3:10p.m. she noticed a green sedan pulled to the curb possibly matching that description. She stated that the male was looking in her direction.

April 17, 2013 – Two 14 year old females were walking home at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Wyckoff Avenue in Bellmore from school when a small red four door vehicle slowed down and the driver, described as a Male/White approximately 40 years old, thin build, brown hair, light facial hair wearing circular glasses rolled down his window and drove toward them. The girls ran and the operator of the car made a U-Turn and drove away.

April 16, 2013 – Complainant states that her and another female were walking home at approximately 3:15p.m. near Camp Avenue and Richard Avenue in North Merrick from school when a male white approximately 30-35 years of age, approached in his four door dark green or black vehicle. He made a waving gesture and called them over.

April 14, 2013 – a white minivan drove slowly by a 12 year girl old and a group of friends riding bikes in the street on Jeffrey Drive in North Bellmore. The driver, described as a male with dark skin around 40 years old, drove by slowly staring at the children, the vehicle left northbound on Melvin Drive without further incident.

April 10, 2013 – At about 7:43 am, an 8th grader from Grand Avenue Middle School was walking to school when he was approached by an old beat up green four door sedan driven by a driver described as a Hispanic male in his mid-twenties with black hair and short facial hair. The vehicle slowed down and the driver waved the student over to his car and then rolled down the window. At that point, the student ran back home.

April 3, 2013 – A 14 year old female, stated that while walking home from school with her friend near Beltagh Avenue and Jefferson Avenue in Bellmore at approximately 3:00 p.m., a white pickup truck occupied by a male white possibly in his late thirties did appear to take a picture of the girls with his cell phone camera.

NICE adds second Jones Beach bus route from Hicksville LIRR with local stops

(Long Island, NY) On Saturday, May 25, Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) will kick off its expanded Summer 2013 bus service to Jones Beach State Park with the n88 originating from the Freeport Long Island Railroad station and the newly reinstated n87 out of the Hicksville Long Island Railroad station.

NICE decided to put the n87 bus from Hicksville back in service after it saw how popular the n88 service from Freeport was last summer. The n87 had been discontinued after the 2009 season and did not run for three years. Last year, NICE also reinstated n88 bus service back to Freeport following concerts at the Nikon Jones Beach Theater.

The n87 will make local stops between Hicksville and Wantagh along Newbridge Road, North Jerusalem Road and Wantagh Avenue, with Jones Beach as a final destination. The n88 Freeport to Jones Beach is non-stop. Service on the n88 runs every 30 minutes, while service on the n87 runs hourly.

Both routes will make stops at Jones Beach’s two bathhouses and the Central Mall. Service starts Saturday morning, May 25, and will operate through Memorial Day. Weekend only service to Jones Beach runs through June 23; daily service starts on Monday June 24, through Labor Day. The cash one-way fare is $2.25; Metro Card $2.50.

NICE will offer service on the n88 back to Freeport after major concerts at the Nikon Jones Beach Theater. For a list of these concerts please visit www.nicebus.com or www.livenation.com.

The LIRR will be offering a discounted travel package to Jones Beach from Penn Station and Jamaica, Queens. This package will include a round trip LIRR ticket to Freeport station and a round trip NICE bus voucher for Jones Beach. The package fare is $18.50 from Penn Station/Brooklyn and $15.25 from Jamaica. For more information on this package and schedules, please go to http://www.mta.info.

For the n87 and n88 Jones Beach bus schedules, trip planner, and concert information, please go to www.nicebus.com. A mobile version of this website is available for smart phones.

Jones Beach features a host of family attractions including two swimming pools, a miniature golf coarse, and expansive beaches with a two-mile boardwalk. The park features 6.5 miles of ocean beaches for surf bathing, and a half-mile bay beach for still water bathing. Jones Beach also is home to the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center, which offers educational tours and programs for all ages. For more information about Jones Beach State Park please go to www.nysparks.com.

The best way to reach Jones Beach State Park is with NICE.

East End’s premier Older Americans Month celebration to benefit Greenport Fire Department

(Greenport, NY) – Registrations are still being being accepted for the eighth annual Peconic Landing May Mile & 5K, this Saturday, May 11, at Peconic Landing, 1500 Brecknock Road, Greenport. Benefiting the Greenport Fire Department, this intergenerational event has become the East End’s premier Older Americans Month celebration and welcomes walkers and runners of all ages and abilities.

Families can plan a fun outing around the one-mile walk and 5K (3.1 miles) with barbecue following the race. New this year is a Puppy Bowl. In participation with North Shore Animal League and Southampton Animal Shelter, the Puppy Bowl will feature teams of two puppies each scrambling to cross the finish line first, and then competing against other winners. About 25 puppies will be available for adoption following the event.

Presentation of the “Older American Champion Award” will highlight the day. Paul J. Connor, III, president/CEO of Eastern Long Island Hospital, is being honored for his commitment to older Americans and their quality of life.

A raffle with proceeds also benefiting Greenport Fire Department features items including a Giant Revel 4 21-speed mens mountain bike, iPod Touch, iPad Mini, iPad Retina, one-year membership to ELIH Fitness, brunch for two at the North Fork Table & Inn, Coach designer sunglasses and more.

Registration and stretching begin at Brecknock Hall, May 11, at 8 a.m. Race and walk start at 10 a.m., followed by the awards ceremonies at 11:15 a.m., and barbecue afterward. The Puppy Bowl begins at 11:45 a.m.

More than $125,000 has been raised for the Greenport Fire Department since the event’s inception in 2005. Thanks to more than 65 sponsors, 600 participants and many volunteers, the 2012 May Mile & 5K alone raised $23,750. Funds helped with the fire department’s purchase of a rescue boat, as well as the installation of a monument to honor fallen firefighters.

Visit www.active.com to register online or go to www.peconiclanding.org to print a registration form and learn about Peconic Landing and all of the partnerships and programs for which it is so well known. Barbecue lunch/ceremony-only tickets can be purchased on race day, although pre-registration is recommended on the event registration form.

Peconic Landing is an innovative continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Greenport, NY, that offers a unique equity-based structure, long list of achievements and a breathtaking waterfront location. Peconic Landing is a dynamic community that embraces a healthy, active lifestyle infused with a sense of exploration, creativity and generosity of spirit.

Offer Sneak Peek of Queens Taste 2013

(Rockaway Beach, NY) Legendary former New York Mets pitcher Ron Darling and current outfielder Mike Baxter, a Whitestone native, headlined a small business luncheon at the Irish Circle Tavern in Rockaway Beach on May 7.

Photo (from left) Darling, Baxter, Irish Circle’s Jerry Perich, Mr. Met and Citi Community Development’s Edward Odom.

In addition to signing autographs and posing for photos, the athletes discussed Citi’s local efforts to help rebuild after Hurricane Sandy and plugged Queens Taste 2013. The Irish Circle is one of about 45 restaurants and other food or beverage purveyors that will offer samples for roughly 800 attendees at Queens Taste 2013.

Tickets are available at www.queensny.org or 718-263-0546.

(Long Island, NY) The New York State Senate today passed legislation to crack down on auto insurance fraud which has led to injuries – even death – for innocent victims and costs hundreds of millions of dollars a year in higher premiums when New Yorkers already pay some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country.

The three bills approved today would significantly cut down on auto insurance scams by increasing penalties for those who commit or assist in the fraud and by giving more flexibility to insurance companies to prevent criminals from getting policies and continuing to commit auto fraud.

“Auto fraud is a very serious problem that costs lives, and costs New Yorkers millions of dollars,” Senate Republican Conference Leader Dean G. Skelos said. “The Senate has been passing bills to combat auto insurance for more than a decade, yet, the Assembly has not acted on them while the problem has only grown worse. It’s time the Assembly pass these bills so they can be signed into law, and consumers can save money by not having to pay the exorbitant rates that are caused by fraud.”

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), New York ranks among the top five states for fraudulent auto insurance claims.

Earlier this year, the New York City Council held a public hearing on auto insurance fraud. At the hearing, Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney Jeff Ferguson said 36 percent of insurance claims are either fraudulent or inflated and added that, “Some 22 percent of those claims were entirely bogus, while another 14 percent included inflated injuries and unnecessary treatments to gouge money from insurance companies.”

“New York is awash in a tsunami of insurance fraud. It is very encouraging to see the Senate take action on an issue that impacts so many New York State residents. The passage of these measures is critically necessary to stem the rampant fraud in the automobile no-fault system,” said John A. Corlett, Legislative Committee Chairman for AAA New York State, an association serving 2.7 million drivers in the state.

Senate action on the bills this year came shortly after the 10th anniversary of the tragic death of Alice Ross, a 71-year-old wife and grandmother who was killed as the result of a fraud-related, staged auto accident in Queens. One of the criminals drove into her car, causing her to lose control of her vehicle, strike a tree and die.

The Senate’s Anti-Auto Fraud Legislative Package includes the following:

• Bill (S3547), sponsored by Senator James Seward (R,C,I- Oneonta): makes it a crime to stage a motor vehicle accident with intent to commit insurance fraud. If a staged motor vehicle accident results in serious injury or death, the person who staged the accident could face a maximum sentence of up to 25 years.

“Staged accidents hike auto insurance rates for all and pose a serious public safety risk as well,” Senator Seward, Chairman of the Insurance Committee, said. “Women and elderly drivers are in particular danger. They are often targeted because they are less likely to be confrontational after an accident, making it easier for criminals to take advantage of them. The Senate has recognized the need for change for some time and the Assembly needs to join the effort so we can put these criminal enterprises out of business for good.”

According to the NICB, insurers across the country reported a 102-percent increase in suspected cases of staged auto accidents between 2008 and 2011.

• Bill (S3033), sponsored by Senator Skelos (R, Rockville Centre): makes it illegal to act as a “runner” who steers accident victims towards crooked doctors who bill Medicaid for unnecessary medical treatments.
  Runners are key members of auto fraud rings. Under this bill, runners and  their associates could face up to seven years in prison. (A.4597, sponsored by Assemblyman J.Gary Pretlow, D-Westchester.

“Runners and other street-level criminals that participate in these enterprises steal from all of us in the form of higher insurance premiums and fake medical billing,” Senator Skelos said. “We need to enact tough penalties that keep runners and other complicit individuals from taking advantage of New York’s no-fault system and profiting from their auto fraud-related crimes.”

• Bill (S1959A), sponsored by Senator Martin Golden (R-C, Brooklyn): allows insurance companies to retroactively cancel policies taken out by people who commit auto fraud. These criminals often take out policies and
  pay for them with bad checks or stolen credit cards just before they stage accidents. Under current law, insurance companies cannot cancel the policy and policyholders wind up paying for it through higher premiums. This bill would take that burden off honest consumers. (A3774A, sponsored by Assemblyman Carl Heastie, D-Bronx)

“Auto insurance fraud is costing New Yorkers millions of dollars, and it’s time that fair and honest members of our community stop paying for the crimes of others,” stated Senator Golden. “This legislation will give
insurance companies the right to revoke insurance policies for those who try to game the system.”

This measure would bring New York in line with the other large no-fault states and remove any incentives for staged accidents. In fact, only seven other states (AZ, CO, KS, ME, MD, NC and SD) do not allow for
retroactive cancellation. Innocent victims of uninsured drivers would be covered under their own policy or the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation.

Last year, the longest-running auto insurance rip-off scam in history was busted by federal and New York City authorities. Three dozen people, including doctors, lawyers and patients coached to fake injuries, are
accused of stealing more than $279 million in accident benefits over five years. The ring allegedly exploited the state’s “no-fault” auto insurance law as their own giant state-sponsored ATM machine. In New York, vehicles
registered in the state are required to carry insurance that lets drivers and passengers obtain up to $50,000 for accident injuries, regardless of fault.

The bills have been sent to the Assembly.

(Long Island, NY) “We have made great strides in identifying the incidences of breast cancer statewide,” said Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau). “But more can and must be done to isolate clusters and areas of the state where this insidious disease is more common than others. My bill will encourage more mapping and solicit innovative proposals to identify why some areas are more prone to breast cancer than others.”

Hannon’s legislation, Senate bill 3768, allows funds from the Breast Cancer Research and Education Fund to be used towards breast cancer mapping initiatives. The Fund supports research and educational programs which focus on the causes, prevention, treatment and cure of breast cancer. Hannon’s bill adds breast cancer mapping to the programs which currently include other types of breast cancer research.

Another bill sponsored by Hannon, Senate bill 3817, has also been passed by the Senate. This directs the State Department of Health (DOH) to create a website that provides information about important changes to women’s health policy and other resources in the State.

“With more and more people turning to the Internet as their primary source of information on health care, we must make sure information is accessible, accurate and up-to-date,” said Hannon. “A website specifically aimed at women is needed to promote recent changes in law which provide for coverage of a vast number of preventative services for women, at no cost to the individual.”

Recently enacted laws affecting public programs, insurance and other aspects of health policy have resulted in increased coverage for 22 preventative services, and the screaning for certain diseases. The new DOH website and the use of social media will help educate the public and raise awareness of the newly-covered services, provide links to useful resources, and encourage women to receive preventative services and screenings.

“Women may not be aware that their insurance policy covers breast cancer mammography screening or cervical cancer screening at no cost to them,” said Hannon. “The goal of this legislation is to advance these preventative services and ensure they are being used.”

S.3768 has been passed by the Assembly and will be delivered to the Governor. S.3817 will be sent to the Assembly.

Schneiderman: President Can Deliver Foreclosure Relief To Thousands Of Families By Appointing A New FHFA Acting Director Today

NEW YORK –Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today published an op-ed in the New York Daily News urging President Obama to appoint a new acting director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to replace current Acting Director Edward DeMarco, whose policies have stifled the delivery of relief to thousands of Americans facing foreclosure. The op-ed notes that, while the President awaits the confirmation hearings of his nominee for FHFA Director, he can replace Acting Director DeMarco with a deputy director. The following are excerpts of the article:

• ON DEMARCO’S LEGACY: Since 2009, Edward DeMarco has served as acting director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He should have been a critical figure in setting policy to get us out of the foreclosure crisis. Instead, DeMarco’s most notable achievement has been blocking programs to help struggling homeowners.
• ON THE PROMLEM OF NEGATIVE EQUITY: In the fourth quarter of 2012, 10.4 million properties — 21.5% of all homes with mortgages — had “negative equity,” owing more on their mortgages than their properties were worth…. In many cases… foreclosures can be avoided by simply reducing the amount that homeowners owe. Very modest reductions can often enable families to keep their homes and continue to pay off their loans.
• ON THE COST OF FAILING TO REDUCE MORTGAGE PRINCIPLE: The Congressional Budget Office estimates that without a policy change to provide principal reduction for Fannie and Freddie mortgages, an additional 600,000 homeowners will go into default over the next two years.
• ON THE NOMINATION OF MEL WATT: President Obama’s nomination last week of Rep. Mel Watt as permanent director signals that he’s ready for a confirmation fight that should result in better housing policy. But the outcome of that fight is far from certain. And even if the President succeeds, how long will it take, and how many more homeowners will lose their homes, before Watt takes office? 
• ON THE ABILITY TO REPLACE DEMARCO IMMEDIATELY: There is a quicker way to get rid of DeMarco now, and pave the way for a new policy direction for the Federal Housing Finance Agency. He can be replaced as acting director by one of the agency’s three deputy directors — today.
• ON THE NEED FOR A NEW ACTING DIRECTOR: With a new acting director, the agency can quickly move to stanch the bleeding and bring relief to struggling homeowners. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans would no longer have reason to hold up Watt’s nomination. The President will have taken their leverage away and ensured responsible leadership for the agency.

The full op-ed by Attorney General Schneiderman can be read here: ag.ny.gov/press-release/op-ed-obamas-underwater-rescue.