(Long Island, NY) The First Squad reports the details of two Aided cases on Tuesday, September 01, 2015 at 10:45 A.M. in Merrick.

According to detectives, First Precinct Officers responded to Horatio Avenue for an aided case. Upon arrival two females, in their fifties, were found in an automobile, unresponsive.

Nassau County Police reports the details of two Aided cases on Tuesday, September 01 in Merrick. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

CPR was performed and Narcan was administered. Both women were conscious and breathing at the time of their transport to area hospitals by Nassau County Ambulance.

(Long Island, NY) Squatting in the Village of Mastic Beach has just become a whole lot harder. Using laws already on the books, Mayor Spery has empowered Public-Safety Supervisor, Pat McCall to eradicate illegal housing in the Village of Mastic Beach. Using the code name “Operation Take Back,” the Village has shut down thirteen (13) homes that were illegally occupied.

“This is a great waterfront Village; a beautiful, warm and caring community that devious people have taken advantage,” said, Public-Safety Supervisor Pat McCall. “With the support of the Village Mayor, Board and Court, removing these transients through the eviction process has happened rather quickly and smoothly.”

Working with Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning, Mayor Maura P. Spery gives her administration the task of eliminating illegal squatting in the Village of Mastic Beach. Photo Credit: Mastic Beach Village.

The perfect combination of situations has enticed some to occupy the area illegally. Foreclosures from predatory lending practices, the rapid increase in rents in New York City and Hurricane Sandy have given squatters the opportunity to move into empty waterfront homes across Long Island.

“Sandy left hundreds of homes uninhabited and vulnerable across the Island. Many owners have no idea there are people living in their homes until they return and see the mess. The people feel violated and rightfully so. We cannot have this illegal behavior continue in our community. Quality-of-life in this Village is a top concern of my administration, and the Village of Mastic Beach has been quite pro-active by employing ‘Operation Take Back’,” states Mayor Spery.

“Operation Take Back” is a coordinated program spearheaded by the Village’s Department of Public Safety. Working closely with the Suffolk County Police Department, the Village program has closed down thirteen (13) illegal properties in two (2) months. The goal of “Operation Take Back” is to increase safety in the community by maintaining safe and legal housing throughout the Village of Mastic Beach.

Mr. McCall said, “The support of neighbors is crucial. Sometimes the offenders take minimal care of properties just to stay under code enforcement’s radar but the neighbors know what is going on. We want law-abiding residents to understand they are not alone in this—the Village cares about getting these squatters and illegal renters out.” He added, “If a strange family shows up in the middle of the night, call us. Let us know what is going on, we will contact the owner and end the nightmare before it begins.”

Under New York State law, squatters are classified as tenants and receive temporary rights after living in a property for thirty (30) days. For an owner to reclaim property from a squatter once the thirty days have been established, the owner must be able to prove his/her rights to the property. Then, legal eviction proceedings can proceed, which is a long and drawn-out process.

Deputy Mayor Bruce Summa said, “It’s best to get to the squatters out before they have been living at the property for thirty (30) days. Then the course of action is to work quickly with the property owner. In some cases the owner is on an extended trip, in the military, or lives elsewhere because of personal or medical reasons—the owner may not even know that squatters occupy their property!”

“Suffolk County continues to feel the negative impacts from the 2008 housing crisis, which left in its wake a tremendous amount of foreclosures,” stated Legislator Kate Browning. “In addition, Hurricane Sandy also caused many homes to become vacant throughout our South Shore communities. Whether privately owned or bank-owned, I have been very successful in ridding squatters from these dwellings through the standard eviction process. However, working in conjunction with property owners, the Suffolk County Police Department and the Village of Mastic Beach, this costly and lengthy process can be avoided by enforcing the 30 day rule, or submitting No Trespassing Affidavits to our police department before squatters settle into a home. Through these partnerships, we have effectively prevented dozens of homes from becoming future problems, and will continue to do so until the housing crisis is eliminated.” stated, Legislator Browning.

“If you intend to live illegally in an abandoned home, don’t do it within the Village limits. It is a privilege to live in this village—and you have to do it legally,” said Mayor Spery.

 

Investigation Concludes Homeland Foundation, Inc.’s Former President and Trustees Misused Funds, Gave Away Millions Of Dollars To Organizations Closely Connected To Trustees

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that the former trustees of the Homeland Foundation, Inc. (“Homeland”) have agreed to the findings of the Attorney General’s investigation into the trustees’ repeated failures to properly administer millions of dollars of charitable assets entrusted to their care. The Attorney General determined that, among other breaches of their fiduciary duties, the former trustees issued at least $4.25 million dollars in grants, beyond what they were authorized to spend. In issuing the improper $4.25 million in grants, the trustees failed to follow their obligation to make grants in any one year not to exceed 5% of the total value of Homeland’s cash and investments, as required by the organization’s charter.

Many of the grants authorized by the trustees, including E. Lisk Wyckoff, Homeland’s president during most of the period of the investigation, went to organizations closely connected to Wyckoff and his wife Elizabeth, or to other trustees—for example, $1.5 million to private schools attended by the Wyckoffs’ children, and $4.5 million to schools that Wyckoff himself had attended. No allegations were made that recipients of Homeland’s donations committed any wrongdoing.

“The use of charitable assets for personal gain is both deplorable and illegal,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “When individuals charged with advancing a charitable mission instead treat a charity’s assets as a personal piggybank, my office will hold them accountable.”

As described in the assurance of discontinuance signed by the former trustees, their spending was not only improper; it was reckless. During the period of the investigation, as the trustees spent far beyond their 5% limitation on questionable donations, the underlying value of Homeland’s accounts was sharply deteriorating: from $39.8 in 2006 to $17.4 million in 2011.

The trustees have agreed to repay Homeland a total of $4,378,828 to cover the misappropriated funds. Repayment includes $701,328 that Elizabeth Wyckoff improperly took from Homeland exclusively for her personal benefit, once she became Homeland’s president in December 2012, upon the death of her husband. (Lisk Wyckoff had been president since 1989.)

Shortly after her husband’s death, Mrs. Wyckoff abused her position as president by releasing $701,328 in life insurance proceeds from several policies that Homeland had purchased for itself and her husband. Under these policies, Homeland was entitled to receive the greater share ($701,328) of the value of the policies, with a smaller amount being paid to Mrs. Wyckoff. However, Mrs. Wyckoff, in part by obtaining written approval of Homeland’s vice-president at the time (Rev. John Kamas), directed the insurance company to pay herself alone the entire value of all the policies, leaving nothing for Homeland. Neither Mrs. Wyckoff nor Rev. Kamas sought approval from the board of trustees for this significant and unjustified action.

Mrs. Wyckoff, who was paid an annual salary of $330,000 as Homeland’s president, maintains residences in both New York City and Connecticut.

Homeland was founded for general charitable purposes in 1938. It expanded in 1989, when its founder, Chauncey Stillman died, leaving much of his substantial estate to the foundation, including investments and the Wethersfield Mansion, Gardens, Carriage House and Farm, occupying approximately 1,200 acres in and near Amenia, located in Dutchess County, New York.  Homeland’s business offices are located in New York City.  Homeland’s funds are required to be used for, among other things, the maintenance of the Dutchess County land, buildings and artwork (called the Wethersfield Estate), and their operation as a museum and gardens for the general public. Information about the Wethersfield Estate can be found here: http://www.wethersfieldgarden.org/.

Among the reforms instituted at Homeland as a result of the investigation and settlement:

• New, expanded and more diverse board of trustees, including two members from the geographic area near Homeland’s museum and land in Dutchess County, and two members from the family of Homeland’s founder;
• Mended by-laws to prohibit the trustees from (a) making grants to organizations with which they have business ties or interests, and (b) compensating trustees for their work on behalf of Homeland;
• An enhanced conflict-of-interest policy to address and prevent abuses committed by the former trustees in their grant-making practices; and
• A renewed emphasis by Homeland and the new trustees to operate the foundation in a fiscally prudent manner, and to keep the foundation’s focus on the Wethersfield Estate and the Wethersfield Institute.

Mrs. Wyckoff and Rev. Kamas are now subject to indefinite bans on becoming officers, directors, trustees and fiduciaries of New York not-for-profit organizations. The bans are subject to review by the Attorney General’s Office after five and three years, respectively, if Wyckoff and Kamas can demonstrate that they have successfully completed comprehensive education and training in the management and oversight of charitable organizations.  Other former trustees are subject to bans with defined periods of up to three years.

The agreement reached by the Attorney General, Homeland, and its former trustees underscores the need for boards of directors and trustees of not-for-profits to exercise their duty to actively oversee their organizations, in accordance with law, especially following recent changes that strengthened New York’s Not-For-Profit Corporation Law (NPCL). Enhancements to the NPCL of particular note relate to prohibitions on self-dealing by directors and trustees, auditing and financial transparency and accountability, and conflict-of-interest policies and whistleblower policies. For example, directors and trustees who become aware of abuses within their organizations are obligated to address those problems promptly; and, if their initial efforts are not successful, to take such further action as may be necessary to protect the funds and assets entrusted to their care. The chronic failure by Homeland’s former trustees to fulfill their duties in a responsible manner, free of conflicts-of-interest, made possible most of the problems uncovered by the Attorney General’s investigation.

This case was handled by Assistant Attorney General Steven Shiffman of the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, with assistance from Associate Accountant Joseph Stoffel. The chief of the bureau’s Enforcement Section is Sean Courtney. The Charities Bureau is led by James Sheehan. The Division of Social Justice, of which the Charities Bureau is a part, is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Alvin Bragg.

Competition Focuses on Lifeguard Skills and Lifesaving Techniques

(Long Island, NY) County Executive Steve Bellone congratulates two Smith Point County Park lifeguards from Suffolk County who have been selected to compete in the Sixth International Surf Rescue Challenge (ISRC 2015) September 3–6, 2015 in Maroochydore Beach, Queensland, Australia.

“The skills of our lifeguards are tested on a daily basis,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.  “They are trained in a variety of beach conditions and life-saving techniques, and must be ready to respond in an instant.  Competing in various challenges and events keeps the lifeguards focused in maintaining high lifeguard standards and creating public awareness for beach safety.”

Garrett Thibodeau of Miller Place and Sandi Woodhead of Port Jefferson are two of 16 individuals chosen to compete for the American team.

Sandi, studying to be a registered nurse, has been a lifeguard at Smith Point for the past five seasons.  She holds one national title, and was a finalist in the 4 x 100 and 2K race, and took 5^th place in the Beach Flags event.  This will be her second international competition.

Garrett is currently a teacher’s assistant in the Middle Country School District.  He has been lifeguarding at Smith Point for 15 seasons and has been a part of the National Team for 13 years in a row.  He holds eight national titles in 4 x 100 and flags and three international titles in 4 x 100 and Rescue Race.  This will be his sixth international competition.

Ranked among the top lifeguards in the world, these Smith Point lifeguards are part of the eight-time national championship team and have played a big part in Smith Point’s zero drowning record.

In the United States Lifesaving Association’s annual competition, the Smith Point lifeguards took second place in the “B” Division on August 6-8, 2015 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Division B consists of beach patrols across the nation employing less than 100 lifeguards.)  In this event, they competed with teams from Destin, Wrightsville Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Nags Head, Vero Beach and Clearwater.

(Long Island, NY) Today, members of the New York State Senate who represent the shores of the Hudson banded together in support of legislation introduced in the New Jersey State Senate to protect the ‘viewshed’ of the Palisades. The legislation S.2025, would limit the height of buildings in the Palisades’ ‘viewshed’ to 35 feet.

State Senators: Adriano Espaillat, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Jeff Klein, David Carlucci snd Brad Hoylman, signed the letter to New Jersey State Senator Bob Smith, the prime sponsor of S.2025, expressing their support for his bill.

The letter reads “In 1900 New Jersey Governor Foster Voorheers, and the great conservationist, New York Governor Theodore Roosevelt, came together to create the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, an organization that still works to protect the Palisades today.  As elected officials representing the shores of the Hudson we will continue to stand with you, to carry on the great tradition of New York and New Jersey elected officials banning together to protect the Palisades Park.”

“Today, we continue a proud legacy of New York and New Jersey elected leaders working together to protect the beauty of the Palisades,” said State Senator Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan/Bronx). “We successfully helped stop the planned LG tower from piercing the tree line, but It is time for a permanent solution that will ensure our children, and their children, can enjoy the Palisades for generations to come.”

Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “I join Senator Adriano Espaillat in supporting New Jersey State Senator Bob Smith’s legislation to protect the natural beauty of the Palisades. It is essential that New York State continues to work in partnership with our neighboring states to protect our shared environment and ensure this region’s natural beauty is protected for generations to come.”

“I successfully fought against LG Electronics plan to build a 143-foot building that jeopardized the Palisades’ dramatic vistas. While the company moves forward with an appropriately diminutive development we never again want to see over-development threaten this corridor’s historic, natural beauty. I wholeheartedly support New Jersey Senator Bob Smith’s legislation to prohibit development higher than 35-feet along its view line,” said State Senate Coalition Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester).

“The Palisades is one of the most scenic locations in the Lower Hudson Valley, and the passage of this legislation will ensure residents of Rockland County can continue to enjoy it for years to come. I join my colleagues in supporting this legislation and encourage New Jersey lawmakers to support it as well,” said State Senator David Carlucci.

(Long Island, NY) The critically-acclaimed American Chamber Ensemble, celebrating its 50^th year of music-making on Long Island, will present its Gala Annual Music Party fundraiser on Sunday, September 20, 2015 – 3 PM at Hofstra University’s New Academic Building, on the south campus in Hempstead, New York.

Guest performers Stanley Drucker, clarinet and Karen Lehman DiMartino, soprano will join ACE Directors pianist Blanche Abram, clarinetist Naomi Drucker and pianist Marilyn Lehman, along with violinists Eriko Sato and Deborah Wong, violist Lois Martin and cellist Chris Finckel, in a program of informal music making that will preview the upcoming 50^th season.

The event will also include a special exhibition about the history of ACE.

Admission to the Gala Annual Music Party is by contribution only, with categories beginning at $40. For category information, benefits and Music Party reservations, please visit http://americanchamberensemble.com/ or call 631-242-5684 or 516-586-3433.

Directions to Hofstra University at http://www.hofstra.edu/visitors/visitors_info_dirmaps.html. All ACE presentations are ADA accessible. For MTA transportation information, visit http://tripplanner.mta.info/_start.aspx.

Founded in 1965 by pianist Blanche Abram and clarinetist Naomi Drucker, The American Chamber Ensemble explores the great chamber music literature for clarinet and piano in combination with strings, woodwinds and voice and presents performances featuring world-class artists. ACE consists of the finest freelance musicians in the New York area and has been cited by critics for their superb presentations of chamber masterworks. Their latest CDs on Elysium are American Clarinet Treasures, featuring core members of ACE performing works by George Kleinsinger, Virgil Thomson, Daniel Gregory Mason, Elliott Carter, Douglas Moore and Gary Schocker, with guest artist Stanley Drucker and The American Chamber Ensemble Plays Peter Schickele, which features five of this modern master’s most important chamber works.

ACE’s concert season is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and by private contributions.

For the latest American Chamber Ensemble concert listings, updates and information, log on to http://americanchamberensemble.com/. Follow ACE on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Chamber-Ensemble/150032171984.

For more information about the American Chamber Ensemble, call Jeffrey James Arts Consulting at 516-586-3433 or email them at jamesarts@att.net.

At the Art League of Long Island Sunday, September 20 at 2pm

(Long Island, NY) As part of the Art League of Long Island’s 2015 lecture series, on September 20 at 2:00pm poet and writer Victoria Crosby will give a PowerPoint presentation on the Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) in London, with a brief introduction of the history of the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) in the USA.

The palaces under discussion include the Tower of London, Kensington, Kew, Hampton Court Palace, and The Banqueting House at Whitehall. These palaces were homes to Kings and Queens from Henry VIII and his wives, up to present day Royals.

On September 20 poet and writer Victoria Crosby will give a PowerPoint presentation on the Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) in London. Photo Credit: Art League of Long Island.

Former president of DBE in New York State and Regent of the Westminster Abbey Chapter on Long Island, Victoria Crosby is a board member of HRP.  She is the features writer for 25A Magazine, a reporter for The Leader newspaper, VP of the North Shore Historical Museum and has been poet laureate of Glen Cove for twenty years.

Hats are encouraged and guests may attend in period costume if they wish.

Admission is $15, $10 for Art League Members.  All are encouraged to register in advance. Visit www.artleagueli.org or call (631) 462-5400 x222.

The Art League is located at 107 East Deer Park Road in Dix Hills.

(Long Island, NY) Dr. Victor Politi, Nassau University Medical Center’s President /CEO, will be joined at a press conference by a 17 year old boy who became paralyzed in a swimming accident at Jones Beach in May. The press conference will be held Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at 10:30 am at NUMC in East Meadow to thank doctors for life saving surgery as he walks again.

Nico Fiorello, a student at Seaford High School, broke every bone in his neck, with one bone splintering and pushing into his spinal cord, when he dove into the water at Jones Beach, hitting his head on a sand bar. Nico underwent multiple surgeries and had several bolts, rods and threads put into his back and neck. It was thought that he would never walk again.

His family will be attending the press conference to also thank the doctors and staff for bringing back to them the teen who loves to swim and participate in athletics.

WHEN:

• Wednesday, September 2, 2015, 10:30am

WHERE:

• Nassau University Medical Center,
  2201 Hempstead Turnpike
  East Meadow NY

(Long Island, NY) Port Jefferson is going pink this October to help raise community awareness about breast cancer and breast health. Government buildings, schools, businesses and other institutions will be lit up in pink lights as part of John T. Mather Memorial Hospital’s Paint Port Pink community outreach.

Paint Port Pink is presented by Astoria Bank with the support of North Shore Hematology Oncology Associates, Long Island Physician Associates, LI Anesthesia Physicians, People’s United Bank, Suffolk Plastic Surgeons, A World of Pink, Empire Bank and Gordon L. Seaman.

The month-long outreach will distribute breast cancer information, raise funds for the Fortunato Breast Health Center and increase breast health awareness throughout our community with the cooperation of the sponsors and the Village of Port Jefferson, the Port Jefferson School District, the North Shore Art Guild, Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and other local groups. All money raised will benefit the Fortunato Breast Health Center Fund for Uninsured.

Among the activities planned:

Aug. 30-Oct. 31

• Mather Hospital is teaming up with the North Shore Art Guild, the Village of Port Jefferson and the Port Jefferson Conservancy to present Artists United Against Breast Cancer, a juried art show at the Port Jefferson Village Center. The show will feature works inspired by the personal transformation, hope, love, fear, loss and victory associated with breast cancer. The show’s theme will be “Victors of Survival, A
• Celebration of the Warrior Within Each of Us”. Proceeds from sales of the art will benefit the Fortunato Breast Health Center.

Oct. 1

• Paint Port Pink Tree Lighting Ceremony – Mayor Margot Garant will flip the switch to light up the Village Hall tree in pink lights at a ceremony that kicks off Paint Port Pink. Everyone is invited to the tree lighting, which will include music by local school groups. At the same time, Village Hall, Mather Hospital and other buildings will be awash in pink light, Theatre Three’s marquee will feature pink lights, local retailers will have pink lights in their windows and downtown fountains will be “pinked”.

Oct. 1- Oct. 31

• Edna Louise Spear Elementary students will launch their Your Change Can Make Change promotion, collecting change for the Fortunato Breast Health Center using the Center’s giant hourglass.
• Port Jefferson Middle School students will sell and wear pink shoe laces and Frisbees to raise awareness and raise funds for the Breast Center.
• Earl L. Vandermeulen HS cheerleaders and the Student Organization will begin their Flamingo Flocking fundraising campaign. The pink plastic suburban icons will be placed on the lawns of friends and supporters along with a note explaining that friends or family paid to have them “flocked” and explaining that if they make a donation, the flock will migrate to the yard of any relative or friend they choose.

Oct. 5

• The 9th annual Pink Rock Golf Classic at the Port Jefferson Country Club. The event benefits the Fund for Uninsured at the Fortunato Breast Health Center and breast cancer treatment services at Mather Hospital. Registration is at 11 am followed by a barbecue lunch at 11:30 am and a shot gun start at 1 pm.

Oct. 23

• The 50th Anniversary One Enchanted Evening Gala at the Hyatt Regency Long Island, Hauppauge, from 7-11 pm. Mather’s annual gala, which includes the presentation of the Community Service Award and Theodore Roosevelt Awards for service to the hospital and the community, raises funds for the Fortunato Breast Health Center.

Oct. 29

• Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Director of Research David Spector will speak about his research on Finding New Ways to Halt Breast Cancer Progression at a free educational seminar at Mather Hospital starting at 6:30 pm. Exhibitors will present health information. The seminar takes place in Mather’s new Long Island Anesthesia Physicians Conference Center. To register for this seminar please call 631-686-7878.

John T. Mather Memorial Hospital is an accredited 248-bed, non-profit community teaching hospital dedicated to providing a wide spectrum of high quality healthcare services to Suffolk County residents, showing compassion and respect and treating each patient in the manner we would wish for our loved ones. Mather has earned the prestigious Magnet® recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which recognizes healthcare organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. Mather also has received seven consecutive top “A” ratings from The Leapfrog Group for patient safety.

For further information about Mather Hospital, visit www.matherhospital.org or “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/matherhospital.

Recognizing September 11th as a National Day of Service & Remembrance

(Long Island, NY) The Long Island Volunteer Center (LIVC) and the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center are hosting a Blood Drive on Monday, September 21^st from 2:00pm to 8:00pm.  The Blood Drive will be held at the Nassau County Firefighters Museum in Garden City.   LIVC invites Long Islanders to donate blood to pay tribute to 9/11 victims and heroes.  Registration is strongly recommended.  The Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center is located on Charles Lindbergh Blvd. (along Museum Row) in Garden City.

The Long Island Volunteer is hoping that this blood drive will collect 50 pints of blood aiming to reach over 200 pints of blood over the past five years.

“There is no more poignant way to remember those lost on 9/11 than by taking action to give the most personal gift of all, a pint of blood that could save up to 3 lives,” said Diana O’Neill, Executive Director of the Long Island Volunteer Center.    Now in its fifth year, LIVC’s blood drive marks the September 11th anniversary supporting our country’s National Day of Service & Remembrance.  “There is a constant need for blood donations in our region.  Your generosity could make the difference in someone else’s life,” explained Ms. O’Neill.

If you would like to donate blood; you must be at least 17 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds and be in general good health without acquiring tattoos for the past 12 months.  Sixteen year olds may donate blood with parental consent. Over the age of 76 requires a doctor’s note.

About the Long Island Volunteer Center
The LIVC is the resource center for volunteerism and community service initiatives throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.  Established in 1992, LIVC operates year round and its services are provided free of charge.  The LIVC collaborates with corporations and community organizations to address the needs of Long Islanders.  LIVC is an affiliate of the HandsOn Network since 2008, connecting agencies seeking volunteers with individuals and groups looking for ways to serve their communities.  In 2011, the LIVC was designated by New York State as the Regional Volunteer Center for Long Island.   For more information, contact the Long Island Volunteer Center at (516) 564-5482 or visit www.longislandvolunteercenter.org .

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, please register at:

• https://drm.nybloodcenter.org/PublicScheduler/GroupLanding.aspx?s=66097

For additional information, please contact:

• BloodDrive@longislandvolunteercenter.org
  516-478-5018

For medical eligibility, please contact:

• Long Island Blood Services
  1-800-688-0900

For press inquiries, please contact:

• Simone Solz Leo at simoneleo@longislandvolunteercenter.org or 201-912-2701