(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Fifth Squad detectives are investigating a single-car crash that critically injured a man in Holtsville on Tuesday, March 22.

Dennis Kennedy was driving a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe northbound on Blue Point Road, east of Waverly Avenue, when his vehicle left the road and struck a tree at 11:45 a.m.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a single-car crash that critically injured a man in Holtsville on Tuesday, March 22. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Kennedy, 69, of Port Jefferson Station, is believed to have suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash. Kennedy was transported by an ambulance from the Holtsville Fire Department to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue where he was admitted in critical condition.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552.

(Long Island,  NY) The Suffolk County Legislature under the leadership of Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory held the first county-wide reception for each Woman of Distinction from all 18 legislative districts and announced the county-wide winner, Gail Lynch Bailey.

“Is is a great honor for me to hold this reception for Ms. Lynch-Bailey and the  17 Women of Distinction from other Legislative Districts,” said Presiding Officer Gregory. “All 18 of these Women of Distinction have incredible resumes and extraordinary records of service to their communities and all of Suffolk County.”

County-wide winner Gail Lynch-Bailey is from Legislator Sarah Anker’s District 6.  She was chosen by the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Commission.

“It is my distinct honor to recognize Mrs. Gail Lynch-Bailey for the 2016 Suffolk County Woman of Distinction award in recognition of her outstanding leadership and tireless volunteer efforts toward improving her community,” said Legislator Anker. “Throughout her years as a community volunteer, Gail has been at the forefront of many successful community projects, including the effort to enhance Bartlett Pond Park in Middle Island. As a result of her selfless volunteerism, Gail has inspired and educated countless other volunteers to join in and lend a hand in improving their neighborhoods. Gail is an exceptional example of an individual who is truly dedicated to their community and is greatly deserving of this honor.”

Ms. Lynch-Bailey is President of the Longwood Public Library’s Board of Trustees, The Longwood Alliance, and the Middle Island Civic Association. She is the past president of the Longwood PTA Council, co-founder of the Middle Country Road Task Force, and member of the Town of Brookhaven Accessory Apartment Review Board.

For the past several years, Ms. Lynch-Bailey has worked to enhance Bartlett Pond Park in Middle Island, including the dedication of six granite veterans’ monuments, the restoration of the park’s invasive-ridden western section and hiking trail, the restoration of the one-room schoolhouse, and the creation of the Longwood Victory community garden. Ms. Lynch-Bailey also coordinates the annual Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Pearl Harbor Day ceremonies at Bartlett Pond Park’s Veterans Walk.

In 1999, she received the New York State PTA Distinguished Service Award. In 2003 she received the St. Pius X Award for 10 years of service as the catechist at St. Frances Cabrini RC Church in Coram. In 2011, she was honored as the first female recipient of the Longwood Board of Education’s Carl Verdi Community Pride Award. She is a successful businesswoman as the co-owner of a profitable, portable school photography business with her husband, Frank.

The other Women of Distinction, all chosen by the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Commission, are:

• District 1, Legislator Al Krupski; Cathy Woods
• District 2, Legislator Bridget Fleming; Dorothy Malik-Atkinson
• District 3, Legislator Kate Browning; April Coppola
• District 4, Legislator Tom Muratore; Phyllis Hill
• District 5, Legislator Kara Hahn; Cynthia Barnes
• District 6, Legislator Sarah Anker; Gail Lynch-Bailey and (County-wide Woman of Distinction
• District 7, Legislator Robert Calarco;  Margaret Bermel (Deceased)
• District 8, Legislator William J. Lindsay III; Barbara Fitzpatrick
• District 9, Legislator Monica R. Martinez; Sister Kathleen Carberry
• District 10, Legislator Thomas Cilmi; Kathy Koenigdorf
• District 11, Legislator Thomas Barraga; Donna Periconi
• District 12, Legislator Leslie Kennedy; Maria Camassa
• District 13, Legislator Robert Trotta;             Rose Mangogna
• District 14, Legislator Kevin J. McCaffrey; Michele Insinga
• District 15, Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory; Phyllis Henry
• District 16, Legislator Steve Stern; Ellen Hershkin
• District 17, Legislator Lou D’Amaro; Susan Friedman
• District 18, Legislator William Spencer; Alicia Lawrence

(Long Island, NY) A Copiague father, who sexually abused his daughters starting when they were 9 and 10 years of age and a 12 year old female friend of his daughters pleaded guilty yesterday March 21st to two counts of a Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree and one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree during a court conference in Riverhead, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

The a defendant, a 43 year old man, who is not identified here to protect the privacy of the victims, pled guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Barbara Kahn.

The defendant is expected to be sentenced to 19 years incarceration and 20 years post release supervision. Sentencing is calendared to take place in Riverhead County Court on April 20, 2016.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) today announced his excitement at the Assembly’s passing of A.2604-C, which legalizes professional mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York State.

“New Yorkers have long waited for this day. After years of futility and inaction, professional mixed martial arts passed the Assembly,” said Murray. “This is a huge victory for professional and amateur MMA fighters, for the State of New York and most importantly, for the fans in New York who will now be able to watch their favorite athletes here at home.”

Assembly Bill 2604-C passed the Assembly by a vote of 113-25. Its counterpart, S.5949-A, passed the state Senate in February; the bill is now headed to the governor’s desk for his signature to become law.

“Legalizing professional MMA and regulating the sport safely will generate millions in revenue and jumpstart job creation here in New York. The economic impact will be quite noticeable,” Murray said. “I’m glad that we finally got this done so New York can join every other state in reaping the benefits that professional MMA has to offer.”

Places 1st in New York State for Health Factors

(Long Island, NY) Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano is pleased to announce that Nassau County once again has solidified its place as one of the healthiest Counties in New York State, and the United States, according to the 2016 annual County Health Rankings. In a report released today by University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, out of 62 counties in New York, Nassau County ranked 1st in Health Factors, 2nd in Health Outcomes, and 2nd in Health Behaviors according to the annual County Health Rankings. Nassau County ranked as a “Top US Performer” by scoring in at least the highest 90th percentile in the United States in categories including percentage of adult smokers, adult obesity, low teen birth rate, and access to exercise opportunities, among others. This ranking is based on a comprehensive report that ranks the overall health of nearly every county in all 50 states by using standardized measures.

“Nassau County continues to rank as one the healthiest counties in New York State,” said County Executive Mangano. “This report demonstrates the combined efforts of government, businesses, health care providers, schools and community-based organizations working together to improve the health of Nassau County residents. I am proud of the professional excellence demonstrated by the Department of Health and all of our community partners for the work that they do to promote and protect the health of all who live, work and visit Nassau County.”

Nassau County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein stated, “This is a testament to the ongoing commitment of Nassau County’s wonderful hospitals, medical providers, community based organizations, government leaders, government agencies, collaborators from various sectors, and residents to work together to ensure the highest health outcomes and healthy opportunities for our residents. Although the statistics continue to show excellence, we remain aware of the impact that health disparities present, and the Nassau County Department of Health will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that all residents from all communities of Nassau have access to our great healthcare infrastructure.”

The Rankings, available at www.countyhealthrankings.org include a snapshot of each county in New York. Researchers looked at “health factors” that affect people’s health within four categories; health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment. These health factors include measurements such as, adult smoking, adult obesity and drinking water violations. County Health Rankings researchers also used five measures to assess the level of overall health or “health outcomes” for New York by county such as, rates of premature death, the percentage of people who report being in fair or poor health, the numbers of days people report being in poor physical and poor mental health, and the rate of low-birthweight infants.

(Long Island, NY) Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced today that the 2016 Ms. New York Senior America Pageant will take place on Sunday, April 3rd at Hofstra University. The pageant returns to Nassau County for a third year in a row after having been held in Suffolk County for many years. The New York Senior America Organization features 15 women contestants aged 60 years or older, who best exemplify the qualities of the modern dynamic senior. The winning 2016 Queen will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

An array of talent will be on display, including singers, dancers, and musicians. The pageant consists of four categories: a personal interview; a recitation of their philosophy of life; an evening gown presentation; and a talent performance. The judges will select the “Queen and her Court” and the winner will go on to Atlantic City in October to compete with queens from other states for the coveted National Crown and title of Ms. Senior America.

Reserved seating for the 2016 Ms. New York Senior America Pageant is available for $25 per person. Group rates are available. To purchase tickets, please call Dolores Meglio at (631) 249-0258. For more information please visit the website www.newyorksenioramerica.org.

A statement from Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo (R,C-New Suffolk)

(Long Island, NY) “I support the so-called rules reform proposal engineered by Assembly Democrats because any step toward transparency in government is a good one. Let me be clear, however, that I am not satisfied with these toothless measures and neither are the people of the State of New York. It took nearly a year for them to create a toothless proposal that is short on substance.

“My Assembly Republican colleagues and I have repeatedly put forth measures to reform the rules and procedures of the New York State Assembly to bring about transparency and hold elected officials accountable. If Assembly Democrats were serious about government reform, 11 months would have yielded measures to enact term limits for legislative leaders and the means to help bring legislation sponsored by one more than half the members of the Assembly for a vote instead of being held in procedural purgatory. The measures voted on this week weren’t exactly revolutionary; essentially they upgraded our website and added a camera to the committee meetings.

“I have consistently supported measures that prevent one individual from obtaining too much power and that allow the will of New Yorkers to be done, however they have routinely been rebuffed by Assembly Democrats. This proposal today did not go far enough in giving the people what they demand and deserve.”

(Long Island, NY) The New York Urban League congratulates Betty Rosa on her new appointment as the new chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents. NYUL wants to recognize the exemplary work of the entire board in identifying a successor for outgoing chancellor, Merrly Tisch. The NYUL believes that continuing to ensure high quality standards for all students is critical – especially those vulnerable children who fall in the lowest performing percentile.

President and CEO Arva Rice states, “While enough cannot be said about the difficult task taken on by Chancellor Tisch who oversaw the successful implementation of the new standards, we anticipate further gains with our new chancellor. The upcoming decisions the board faces will have far reaching effects on our state’s future over the next few decades. NYUL stands with anyone who is willing to fight for fair, equitable and rigorous education standards that empowers New York’s children to compete globally.”

(Long Island, NY) The Public Information Office reports the details of a serious injury that occurred on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 11:28 a.m. in Glen Head.

According to police, while painting a substation on the eastside of the Long Island Rail Road tracks on Glen Head Road a male 47, came in contact with roof bushings which caused him to suffer an electric shock.

Nassau County Police reports the details of a serious injury that occurred on Tuesday, March 22 in Glen Head. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Third Precinct officers, Emergency Service Unit officers, Ambulance Bureau AMT’s and Glen Head Fire Department responded to the scene.

The Glen Head Fire Department utilized their ladder truck to assist Emergency Service Officers as they removed the injured man from the roof and placed him into a waiting county ambulance.

He was transported to an area hospital and is being treated for electrical burns.

In final week before the 2016 NYS budget deadline, Long Island Assemblywomen to hear testimony from community members on need for paid family leave

(Long Island, NY) In the final week before the 2016 NYS budget deadline, Long Island Assemblywomen Kimberly Jean-Pierre and Michaelle Solages will hold a town hall in Westbury this Thursday, March 24th to receive testimony from dozens of community members on the need for paid family leave.

Taking place in the district of Senator Jack Martins, the Chair of the Senate Labor Committee, this town hall will give constituents the opportunity to tell their personal stories about the need for paid family leave across Long Island.

County and local legislators will also join the town hall to announce that every single Democratic county legislator in Long Island has signed onto a letter calling for the passage of strong paid family legislation, and announce the unanimous passage of four different local resolutions urging the same.

The event will feature the local elected officials below as well as representatives from: NY Working Families, New York Communities for Change, the Long Island Progressive Coalition, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, New York State Nurses Association, and SEIU 32BJ

WHEN: Thursday, March 24th, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

WHERE: The “Yes We Can” Community Center, 141 Garden Street, Westbury, NY (parking available)

WHO:

• Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre
• Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages
• Local and county level elected officials