(Long Island, NY) Angela’s House will be hosting their 10 Annual Spring Gala at Watermill Caterers in Smithtown, NY on Thursday, March 31st, 2016.

Join us for an evening of fun and celebration!  The event will begin promptly at 7pm with a cocktail hour, followed by a seated dinner and a brief awards ceremony. This year’s honoree is JVC Broadcasting, who operates four radio stations in the Nassau, Suffolk Long Island market. JVC Broadcasting has hosted an annual Radio-thon benefitting Angela’s House for half a decade on My Country 96.1FM and this year they also featured Angela’s House on their Long Island News Radio Station 103.9FM. JVC also includes the non-profit in their summer concert series at the Pennysaver Amphitheatre, of which they are the operator.

Bill Powers (DJ My Country 96.1), Kim Yuknis (Angela’s House Child), and Bob Policastro (executive director and founder of Angela’s House). Photo Credit: Angela’s House.

They are expecting over 250 guests, who will be able to participate in an amazing Silent Auction as well as purchase raffle tickets to enter to win upwards of 100 different Chinese auction prizes!

Let’s not forget, the talented MC Echo will keep the evening upbeat and everyone on the dancefloor. Funds raised from the Gala event will be earmarked for their Reimbursement Program, which provides families with the opportunity to apply for small grants to cover portions of their child’s care and/or critical equipment that their child needs (neither of which are covered by insurance).

Angela’s House, founded in 1992, offers hope for families and children living with severe medical conditions who are medically frail, chronically ill and/or suffering from life threatening conditions. Their home care programs works with over 650 children that live at home with their parents, by coordinating the home care services needed to support these children living at home.  This may include services such as: medical equipment, nursing support, therapies, medications and making their homes handicapped accessible. Angela’s House also has three beautiful specialty homes that have the ability to offer children, with often very severe medical needs, the therapeutic, nursing and potential long-term care required.

For more information about Angela’s House and/or to obtain registration materials for this event, please visit: www.AngelasHouse.org. Please purchase your ticket far in advance as this event sells out.

Individual tickets are $100. There are various levels for corporate sponsorship opportunities, which can be found on our website or by contacting Johanna Rotta at 631-796-2723 or via email at jrotta@angelashouse.org.

For additional information, please visit:

• Angela’s House:  www.AngelasHouse.org
• Facebook page: www.facebook.com/angelashouse

About Angela’s House
Angela’s House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that assists families caring for children with special health care needs that are medically fragile, chronically ill or suffering from a life threatening illness. The organization assists families caring for their children at home, and for children that can no longer live at home, we run three unique homes where children can live with 24 hour nursing support. Our new home in Stony Brook cares for children that require ventilator support to assist them with breathing.  The Policastro family founded this agency 24 years ago following the tragic crisis they faced with their daughter Angela. This parent-first mentality has become the approach and philosophy they apply to each family they assist.

More information about Angela’s House can be found at www.AngelasHouse.org.

(Long Island, NY) First Squad detectives are investigating an Assault that occurred on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 9:15 pm in Roosevelt.

According to detectives, after responding to the vicinity of Jefferson Avenue to pick up a fare, the 42 year old male driver for New York Taxi of Roosevelt was approached by two male black subjects who entered the rear of the taxi.

Nassau County Police are investigating an Assault that occurred on Wednesday, February 17 in Roosevelt. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

After becoming involved in a verbal argument with the subjects, they exited the taxi, went to the driver’s door and opened it. A physical confrontation ensued and the driver was then shot in the face causing a serious eye injury.

The victim, who was transported to an area hospital for treatment, could only further describe the subjects as wearing black masks covering their faces and dark colored clothing.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

(Long Island, NY) Governor Cuomo hosted a groundbreaking event at Stonybrook University yesterday morning to announce a multi-pronged New York State strategy to protect critical water resources. The strategy targets four essential goals, including a $6 Million investment in groundwater analysis across Long Island, creating a statewide water quality rapid response team, multi million dollar investment in wastewater treatment infrastructure and technology, and the first-ever NYS regulations of mulching facilities .

At yesterday morning’s event both Governor Cuomo and County Executive Bellone praised Anna Throne-Holst’s leadership on clean water issues and mitigation strategies.

Governor Cuomo said “I want to recognize the great leadership of Anna Throne-Holst on the issue of clean water. Anna has done a fantastic job in helping bring the Clean Water Technology Center to Stony Brook University. This center will help protect the environment while creating high-quality jobs on Long Island.”

County Executive Bellone said, “I want to thank Anna Throne-Holst for her incredible leadership on working to clean up our water, and for being such a great partner on this critical issue. Anna took the lead on bringing the Clean Water Center to Stony Brook and has been proactive in addressing the nitrogen loading in our drinking water.”

Anna Throne-Holst is credited with bringing the New York State Clean Water and Technology Center to Stony Brook University. The Center will address detrimental nitrogen loading in our ground and surface water. This institution will be the first of it’s kind in New York and serves as a model for similar efforts in areas plagued by this issue.

Anna, in turn, praised the Governor for his important leadership, and added her support for addressing the concerns around mulching facilities and the risk they pose to the area. “On the East End, and other areas of Long Island, we have a growing concern for how this particular form of pathogen loading may be affecting our ground and drinking water. I thank the Governor for recognizing and working to address this new threat” she said. “Working with both the Governor and County Executive Steve Bellone has been an extremely rewarding exercise in different levels of government coming together to most effectively problem solve on important issues affecting the whole region. I thank them both”, she said in closing.

Anna Throne-Holst is the former Southampton Town Supervisor and a working mother of four children – Nicholas, Max, Sebastian and Karess. She is running for the Democratic nomination to take on Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin.​

(Long Island, NY) The Suffolk County Landbank held a lottery Feb. 4 to determine priority order of more than 100 applicants wishing to purchase one of two former zombie properties that the Landbank has acquired and renovated for conversion to affordable housing.

The homes are located at 4 Sinclair St. in Mastic and 6 Lawrence Dr. in Sound Beach.

Created by legislation introduced by Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory and funded by a grant secured through the New York Attorney General’s Office, the Landbank purchases and renovates zombie properties, which are then sold to income-eligible buyers and returned to the tax rolls. The Landbank is expected to complete renovations on 11 properties by the end of this year.

Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory, second from right, pulls a name at a lottery to determine priority order of income-eligible applicants wishing to purchase one of two zombie properties that the Suffolk County Landbank has renovated and converted to affordable housing. From left, 3rd District Legislator Kate Browning’s aide Josh Slaughter, 6th District Legislator Sarah Anker and 10th District Legislator Tom Cilmi look on. At right is James Britz of the Long Island Housing Partnership, which facilitated the lottery, held Feb. 4 at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.

Officials from the Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) facilitated the lottery, which was held at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge. Presiding Officer Gregory; 10th District Legislator Tom Cilmi, who serves on the Landbank’s Board of Directors; 6th District Legislator Sarah Anker, who represents Sound Beach; and a representative of 3rd District Legislator Kate Browning, who represents Mastic, took turns drawing names of applicants.

The first 20 applicants drawn in the lottery have been notified by mail of their status and must return formal applications verifying their eligibility for the program to LIHP by Feb. 25. To qualify for the program, annual household income must not exceed 80 percent of the area’s median income, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For a family of four, the limit is $87,200.

The homes are expected to be under contract by the beginning of April, with the new owners taking possession of the properties before June.

“Suffolk County’s Landbank program accomplishes multiple objectives that are critical to neighborhood revitalization,” said Presiding Officer Gregory. “Since its inception, the Landbank has recouped more than $4.5 million in property taxes from the owners who abandoned these homes. It has cleaned up blighted and brownfield properties, ridding surrounding communities of environmentally-hazardous eyesores. Most importantly, the Landbank will return these properties to the tax rolls while making the dream of affordable home ownership a reality for income-eligible buyers.”

“This is an excellent program to help people get into home ownership,” said LIHP President Peter Elkowitz. “We applaud Suffolk County for putting this program in place and reaching out to LIHP to help these homebuyers purchase these newly-renovated properties, which will now be put back onto tax rolls. Thank you to Presiding Officer Gregory and his colleagues for making this program a reality.”

“We’re very blessed that this program is available, and we’re happy to be a part of it,” said Ariel Santiago, who lives in Mastic Beach with his wife, Ivette Ruiz, and their three children. His name was drawn 21st, but first of the applicants who attended the lottery. He plans to apply for future homes offered for sale by the Landbank.

“As a member of the Suffolk County Land Bank Corporation Board of Directors, I was delighted to participate in our first auction for new homeowners,” said Legislator Cilmi. “Our zombie home program allows us to acquire vacant dilapidated houses which are often a blight on communities, and working with nonprofits like the Long Island Housing Partnership, turn them into lovely homes for folks who need a little helping hand. It’s taking lemons and making lemonade.”

“The housing crisis has led to record foreclosures across the nation, and Suffolk County was one of the hardest hit areas,” said Legislator Browning. “Communities I represent have been devastated by this crisis, and I have worked hard to address the negative impacts. The creation of the Suffolk County Landbank has become a vital solution, and I am proud to see that Mastic is the first neighborhood to benefit. Purchasing, rehabbing and selling foreclosed properties to homeowners is the most effective way to rebuild our communities. The response to the housing lottery was tremendous, and I look forward to growing this program so that we can eliminate the blight and give every eligible resident a home here in Suffolk County.”

“For so many families on Long Island, the dream of homeownership is fading,” said Legislator Anker. “Fortunately, the Suffolk County Landbank was created in an effort to make that dream possible for some of those families. The Landbank program not only provides attainable housing, but also helps to revitalize blighted properties to improve the quality of the surrounding neighborhood as a whole. I am truly glad that a property in the Sixth District was one of the first homes to be renovated through this program, and I look forward to congratulating the new owners of this beautiful home in Sound Beach.”

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,C,I-Glen Head) recently participated in the first-ever Heroin Educational Summit in Nassau County. The event was hosted by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, in conjunction with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, Nassau and Suffolk County Police Departments, EMS and Health officials.

The event, which was open to the public, had hundreds of community members in attendance to learn about the county’s efforts to take action against the dangerous heroin epidemic, as well as what they can do to help their loved ones who suffer from addiction. Participants learned imperative information ranging from where to direct those in need of treatment to how to properly administer Narcan to save lives.

“So many men and women, girls and boys are out there flirting with addiction, and so many of them are losing to it,” said Montesano. “Whether it’s our friends, our neighbors or our family – this abuse is affecting us in one way or another. It is imperative to take all necessary steps, from all angles, to eradicate this dangerous epidemic from our communities before more lives are lost. I was pleased to see that so many people in our community understand the importance of being educated on what they can do to help put an end to this outbreak once and for all.”

At the state level, Montesano and his colleagues in the Assembly Minority Conference have introduced measures to increase prevention and education, assist with proper detoxification, rehabilitation and recovery, and improve the criminal justice system to ensure law enforcement is equipped with the best possible tools and regulations necessary to handle overdose and addiction.

While many of the efforts unveiled by the county are similar to the Assembly Minority’s, Montesano applauded their emphasis on law enforcement involvement. The agreement between Nassau and Suffolk counties has created a joint task force comprised of narcotics detectives, supervisors and an intelligence analyst. In conjunction with county police departments, state police and federal law enforcement, as well as prosecution, the team plans to tackle the issue straight from the root of the problem, the dealers.

“As a former NYPD EMT, officer and detective, I know how terrifyingly fast these substances can travel through communities and in order to put an end to that we have to find the source,” said Montesano. “By joining forces and working with individuals and families who have been affected by overdoses, we can better track down the source and rid our streets of these dangerous substances.”

The event also touched on the importance of ending the stigma associated with individuals who have been directly impacted by addiction, and encouraged attendees to join them in their fight for awareness and recovery.

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,C,I-Glen Head) today attended a presentation held by Gov. Cuomo where he proposed many environmental initiatives that will target improving the quality of regional drinking water on Long Island.

Included in these measures would be a $6 million state study that will thoroughly explore Long Island’s supply of drinking water. A new Center for Clean Water Technology will be kick-started at Stony Brook University in Suffolk County, where today’s announcement was made.

“Today marked great progress for Long Island, and I am so happy to have been involved,” said Montesano. “I extend my sincere appreciation to the governor for taking this issue so seriously, and am pleased to be moving forward with these measures that have overwhelming bi-partisan support. This is a great example of how we can put politics aside to ensure we are doing what’s right for our constituents.”

Cuomo cited three main areas of concern regarding the regional drinking water. These issues include the Grumman Plume, a chemical cloud affecting Bethpage and Massapequa aquifer areas that has moved over the years; other aquifer threats in areas around mulch farms; and general quality of the groundwater throughout both counties of the Island. Cuomo intends to produce a comprehensive study to discover how these issues are affecting Long Islanders’ quality of life.

“Our job, first and foremost is to ensure that we are doing all that we can to keep our friends and neighbors safe from all harm,” said Montesano. “These initiatives will help us gain a better understanding of our potable supply, and also find out why any contamination may be taking place and how we can stop it before it becomes too late.”

The new initiatives would enforce proactive solutions for any problems in the foreseeable future. Included in this plan is the $300 million in the proposed state budget for the state’s Environmental Protection Fund and new state funding for local water-infrastructure improvements.

(Long Island, NY) Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, released the following statement after a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General report found that in 2014 over 20 crisis calls to the Veterans Crisis Line operated by VA were transferred to a voicemail system and the calls were never returned:

“Recent reports from the VA Office of Inspector General (IG) show that suffering veterans who are contacting the suicide hotline at the VA are not only being sent to voicemail, but some never even receive a call back. This is gross incompetence, completely unacceptable and in need of an urgent and immediate correction. The latest IG report is just further evidence of the failures of our VA system, which has included overmedicating patients, secret wait lists, and backlogs of disability claims and appeals. Even more egregious are reports of insufficient staffing numbers for patient advocate offices which serve veterans seeking mental health counseling. When a veteran reaches out for help, there is no reason whatsoever that the veteran should not at least receive a call back. With tens of billions of dollars spent each year on veteran healthcare, if a veteran is in crisis and is reaching out for help, there is no justifiable reason why the VA cannot afford to have a dedicated staff member present to answer calls for veterans in crisis. This is inexcusable. We must continue to reform our VA system to ensure each and every veteran is receiving the care they desperately need and deserve. I will never stop fighting to protect and support our military heroes; our veterans deserve the highest quality of care at our VA facilities.”

(Long Island, NY) Nassau University Medical Center President & CEO Dr. Victor Politi will join health officials and infectious disease experts in a press conference to announce testing for the Zika virus following one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, Friday, February 19, 2016 at 11:00 am at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, NY.  Long Island has one of the largest Central American populations in the United States. Many Latino’s from Long Island travel home to visit their families during the winter holiday. Thus far, there have been five people in New York City who have contracted the Zika virus and one case has been diagnosed in Suffolk County. Testing stations will also be made available at the hospital for Long Island residents who suspect they may be carrying the virus.

The Zika virus has been linked to birth defects and miscarriages in Latin America and the Caribbean.New York City health officials made Zika blood tests available to pregnant women who have traveled to any of the 24 countries where the mosquito-borne disease is flourishing.  Symptoms of the disease include fever, rashes, joint pain and reddened eyes.  In the United States, about 52 people have been infected by the virus by visiting regions where the infection is endemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no vaccine for the virus and the CDC recommends that pregnant women not travel to countries where the infection is flourishing.

Press Conference and Rally at City Hall on February 18

(Long Island, NY) Today, more than 100 New Yorkers joined community groups, environmental justice leaders, national environmental organizations, and local officials on the steps of City Hall to thank Mayor Bill de Blasio for his commitment to power 100 percent of City operations with renewable energy and urge him to ensure that offshore wind power plays a major role in achieving that goal.

At the rally, a letter signed by over 50 diverse organizations calling for offshore wind power was delivered to the Mayor. The letter highlights the massive potential of offshore wind power to reduce pollution and spark transformative job creation in New York City and across the state. Prioritizing offshore wind power for NYC is also crucial for meeting Mayor de Blasio’s broader goal of cutting climate pollution in New York City 80 percent by 2050 and 35 percent within government operations by 2025. The letter also calls on New York State and the Federal Government to take the actions necessary to launch offshore wind power for New York.

With the Supreme Court issuing a temporary stay to President Obama’s federal Clean Power Plan just last week, moving forward to develop clean energy—and especially offshore wind—has never been more important.

In addition to the Mayor’s goals to drastically cut carbon emissions 80 percent by 2030, New York City is the largest city in the world to set a 100% renewable energy generation goal for city operations.

Event partners offered the following quotes detailing their support for offshore wind power:

“The construction and utilization of offshore wind power has the potential to transform New York’s economy and environment, replacing dirty coal with a clean and abundant form of energy. As New York strives to meet the goal of 50% generation of electricity from carbon-free renewable by 2030 outlined in Governor Cuomo’s ambitious Reforming the Energy Vision initiative, wind power will play an increasingly essential role. Achievement of these long-term goals, however, will require a long-term commitment from our state. Working with stakeholders like the Sierra Club and my colleagues in the legislature I look forward to implementing a progressive plan for wind power production that invests in New York’s future while respecting the interests of local communities and wildlife habitats.” — State Senator Brad Hoylman, Ranking Member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee

“Thanks to Mayor de Blasio, New York City is leading by example by pledging to make the switch to renewable energy. Investing in off-shore wind power will help us make that transition while creating jobs for New Yorkers and reducing local air pollution. I look forward to working with the administration, the Sierra Club, NYPIRG, and the Center for Working Families to make ensure we make smart choices as we move away from fossil fuels.” — New York City Councilman Ben Kallos

“We applaud Mayor de Blasio for making New York City a leader on equitable climate action. Now the state and federal government can take the next step with a commitment to build a thriving offshore wind industry which would mean tens of thousands of good jobs in New York City and communities upstate alike.” — Bill Lipton, Director, New York Working Families

“With his bold commitment to power city operations with 100% renewable energy, Mayor de Blasio is continuing to set a high bar for climate leadership, and we’re calling on him to make offshore wind a significant part of reaching that 100% goal. Not only is offshore wind power poised to make a serious dent in our climate pollution, but a significant commitment to developing offshore wind promises improved urban air quality, long-term job creation across a wide variety of sectors, lower, more predictable energy costs, and the opportunity to invest our energy dollars locally.” — Lisa Dix, Sierra Club, Senior Representative of the New York Beyond Coal campaign

“New York City can no longer afford to ignore the golden opportunity of offshore wind power. We need Mayor de Blasio, Governor Cuomo, and the federal government to take swift action to launch offshore wind power for New York at the scale necessary to spark massive job creation, reduce local air pollution, and protect wildlife and communities from the dangers of climate change.” — Catherine Bowes, Senior Manager, National Wildlife Federation

“As an organization that formed in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, we deeply understand what is at stake if we, as a city, state, nation and world do not get serious about transitioning to renewable energy now. We are excited at the great potential for local jobs and sustainable energy that offshore wind would bring to NYC. We call on Mayor DeBlasio to stand with those communities most impacted by climate disaster and support offshore wind development. We can lead the way to a healthy, safe and just future. We can be the example that coastal cities across the nation look to. The future is looking bright…and windy!” — Kalin Callaghan, Rockaway Wildfire

“New York City is now positioned as a national climate leader with goals for New York City to cut emissions by 80%, divest from coal, expand green buildings, double solar power, and power 100% of city operations with renewable energy. One of the key next steps is for the state and federal government to open the door for offshore wind development. Building a thriving offshore wind industry will create thousands or tens of thousands of good jobs, slow climate change, and help prevent future storms like Hurricanes Sandy and Irene. The U.S. Energy Department has estimated that it would create nearly 40,000 jobs and 100 businesses around New York are ready to start building components for turbines.” — Stephan Edel, Policy Director, Center for Working Families

“Offshore wind energy has the power to transform our city. This technology could create good local jobs, make us more resilient in the face of climate change, and hasten our transition away from the dirty fuels of the past. The sooner Mayor de Blasio commits to offshore wind, the sooner we can make that transformation a reality, and lead New York State into the renewable economy.” — Patrick Robbins, Co-Director, Sane Energy Project

“Offshore wind is a proven technology worldwide that needs to grow in New York. The offshore wind industry stands ready to help New York City meet its clean energy goals.” — Anne Reynolds, Executive Director, Alliance for Clean Energy New York

“NYPIRG applauds Mayor de Blasio’s leadership in committing to power its buildings through 100% renewable energy by 2030—an ambitious and doable goal. But the Mayor must take tangible steps to make the promise come to life. New York City can be a global leader in renewable energy by committing to offshore wind now.” — Brennan Ortiz, NYPIRG member and Hunter College student

“New York State banned hydraulic fracturing of dirty natural gas, stopped the creation of the Port Ambrose LNG port, and defeated the coal industry. It is now time to devote resources to building the renewable energy infrastructure, which depends on massive offshore wind, to propel us to meeting our reduced greenhouse gas emissions goals. Let’s Win Wind now and provide clean air and green jobs to thousands of New Yorkers as we protect our state from the pending devastation of climate chaos.” — Marilyn Vasta, 350NYC

“Scaling up offshore wind power around New York City can play a key role in delivering on the mayor’s bold commitment to power the city’s governmental buildings and operations with 100% renewable energy,” “Not only will boosting local offshore wind power help fight climate change, reduce harmful air pollution and protect public health, but it will create good clean energy jobs right here in the city. We look forward to working with the city to get homegrown New York offshore wind power off the ground.” — Kit Kennedy, Energy & Transportation Program Director, Natural Resources Defense Council

“Offshore wind can help power New York with abundant pollution-free energy. We look forward to working with city and state leaders to make New York City a leader in the transition to 100 percent renewable energy.” — Heather Leibowitz, Director of Environment New York

“Staving off the worst impacts of our changing climate means we must transition from an electricity grid reliant on fossil fuels to systems powered by clean resources such as solar and wind. New York City has an opportunity, with its commitment to 100 percent renewable energy, to offer cities around the world a roadmap to a clean energy future. One of the keys to maintaining reliability and affordability will be a diverse and consistent clean energy supply. Offshore wind has proven it is up to the challenge and should be an integral component to the City’s plan.” — Conor Bambrick, Air and Energy director, Environmental Advocates of New York

“Offshore wind is potentially the best option for delivering large scale renewable electricity generation to New York City and Long Island. Offshore wind power will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use for New York City, it will also generate jobs and stimulate local economy. With climate change and sea level rising, time is of the essence. New York City needs to begin developing offshore wind power now.” — Ling Tsou, Co-Founder, United for Action

“The Bronx, much of which is an environmental justice community, much of which suffers from environmental racism, much of which is an environmental sacrifice zone, demands a rapid shift to a just, 100% renewable energy economy and massive investments in energy efficiency and retrofitting. Bronx Climate Justice North stands with the rising tide of people all over New York City urging Mayor de Blasio to make offshore wind a significant component of a democratic energy future for all New Yorkers.” — Jennifer Scarlott, Bronx Climate Justice North

“As a community-based peace and justice group with hundreds of members throughout Brooklyn, Brooklyn For Peace sees the issue of renewable energy as central to a long-term strategy for achieving peace for ourselves as well as for future generations. Development of renewable energy sources such as off-shore wind will give our nation the possibility of energy independence and remove one of the major sources of conflict leading to war. We urge Mayor DeBlasio to lead the way!” — Charlotte Phillips, M.D, Chairperson, Brooklyn For Peace

“There is no way for the US to avoid catastrophic climate change without a massive offshore wind effort. We look forward to the leadership of Mayor de Blasio to jumpstart offshore wind by having our city make a long term commitment to purchase electricity from wind.” — Mark Dunlea, Green Education and Legal Fund

“Unlike offshore drilling, offshore wind provides power directly to coastal communities where we need energy the most, without the risk of oil spills or carbon pollution, while protecting our precious ocean ecosystems and marine-life.” — Claire Douglass, Climate & Energy Team Campaign Director, Oceana

“NYC is in the position to be a leader on climate change, but in order to reach the 100% renewable goal, we need to begin investing in offshore wind now. We have the potential generate 5,000 to 8,000 MW of wind power off the coast of Long Island alone, but we need a firm commitment from our elected leaders to ensure offshore wind projects move forward.” — Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment

“Moving to clean energy, like the abundant wind power off our coasts, can help us tackle rampant racial and economic inequality. The federal Clean Power Plan, combined with ambitious state and local initiatives to move forward with renewable energy offers states a chance to expand economic opportunities, especially for communities of color and low-income communities.” — Edgar Gomez, organizer with Community Voices Heard, an affiliate of National People’s Action.

Environment New York is a state-wide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization working for clean air, clean water and open space.

(Long Island, NY) By unanimous decision of the Board of Directors of the Fair Media Council, FMC announces the dedication of the Folio Award for Religious Reporting in honor Msgr. Thomas Hartman, a longtime supporter of the Fair Media Council, as well as a former board member and Folio Award winner.

Fair Media Council CEO & Executive Director Jaci Clement said, “It is with deep gratitude we acknowledge his work and dedication on behalf of the Fair Media Council, and we note: The honor was, truly, ours.”

FMC announces the dedication of the Folio Award for Religious Reporting in honor Msgr. Thomas Hartman. Photo Credit: FMC.

On far too many occasions to count, Father Tom and his God Squad partner, Rabbi Marc Gellman, graciously gave the invocation at Fair Media Council events. What they brought to the masses at such public events were iconic moments of enlightenment and mutual understanding in a manner that was always endearing. Always inspiring. And always, undeniably, a testament to the divinity that lies deep within humanity.

The Fair Media Council Folio Awards recognize the best in local news, and is Long Island’s biggest media event. About 600 business and community leaders, together with the news media from the greater New York metro area, attend the event, to network and congratulate the media winners. The Msgr. Thomas Hartman Award for Religious Reporting will be presented for the first time at the Folio Awards luncheon, which is on Friday, April 22, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, N.Y.

FMC’s Folio Awards are judged by the public, making this awards program unusual, yet extremely important: The winning stories represent what the public wants and needs in its local news. About 40 community and business leaders adjudicate the program, which focuses on story relevance to the community as well as journalistic excellence.

For more about Father Tom and the Fair Media Council, click here.

To reach the Fair Media Council, call 516-224-1860, ext. 1 or email info@fairmediacouncil.org.

ABOUT FAIR MEDIA COUNCIL
The Fair Media Council is one of the oldest, most successful media watchdog organizations in the country. FMC advocates for quality local news, and works to create a media savvy society. It is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, founded in 1979 and currently comprised of about 200 businesses and nonprofits from the greater New York metro area.