(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police officers rescued a woman from a house fire in Brentwood on Thursday, July 23.

Third Precinct Police Officers Jesse Zuckerman, Darrell Randolph and Ronald Racioppi responded to a 911 call reporting a fire on 8th Avenue at approximately 11:45 p.m. When officers arrived, the residence was fully engulfed.

Suffolk County Police officers rescued a woman from a house fire in Brentwood on Thursday, July 23. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The officers entered the home and located an unconscious female who was 15 feet from the front door. They pulled the victim out of the home and administered oxygen. She was transported via Brentwood Ambulance to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore where she is being treated for smoke inhalation.

There were no injuries to two other adults and three children who were able to safely evacuate the house. Brentwood Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire.

Arson is investigating the cause of the fire that appears to be non-criminal at this time.

Scheduled Friday Court Conference to be Adjourned

(Long Island, NY) The scheduled court appearance tomorrow in Southold Town Justice Court of DWI-crash defendant Steven Romeo of Peconic, who remains hospitalized at Eastern Long Island Hospital, will be adjourned to September 18.

Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota will conduct a briefing on the crash investigation tomorrow (7-24) at 11:00 am in the Fifth Floor Law Library in the Riverhead criminal courthouse.

The defense attorney for Steven Romeo has informed the court his client will remain hospitalized and today filed an application to have Mr. Romeo’s bail reduced. The district attorney’s office has consented to the lowering of the defendant’s bail to $100,000 bond or $50,000 cash.

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.

Starting Friday, July 31 – Presented by East End Arts

(Long Island, NY) East End Arts is pleased to announce the exciting new art show at the Rosalie Dimon Gallery, at the Jamesport Manor Inn (located at 370 Manor Lane in Jamesport, NY) featuring East End Arts members: paintings by Jerry Schwabe of East Hampton, NY and photographs by Steven Schreiber of Flanders, NY. The show opens on Friday, July 31 and will be up for viewing until October 28, 2015. An Artists’ Reception will be held on Sunday, August 23, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Rosalie Dimon Gallery, where the public will have the opportunity to meet the artists. Local wines and artisanal cheeses will be served. The public is invited to this free event. The exhibition is open for viewing during the Jamesport Manor Inn’s open hours: Wednesdays through Sundays, 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM during lunch and dinner service.

Jerry Schwabe’s award-winning art has appeared in many group and solo shows on Long Island and in New York City and can be found in many private collections. Mr. Schwabe comments: “The work presented here shows how deeply I am affected by the light and color of our surroundings: the water, the woods and the open fields and all that nature’s beauty has to offer those of us lucky enough to live on Long Island’s East End. My technique spans from a classical approach to the more dramatic, with variations in mood, formed in abstractions of color and shape. Painting, sculpture and photography have now each become an independent form of expression, but my work remains grounded in fundamentals, and my vision will always be drawn to all that is possible.”

Steven Schreiber is an award-winning photographer who began photographing nature with his digital camera in 2002 when he moved to the East End after leaving a busy life in congested western Nassau County. He soon found a personal approach to visual textures and colors that are the signature of his photographic creations. Using a unique processing technique he developed himself he is able to bring an unusual and spectacular perspective to the flowers he focuses on for the images presented in this stunning series. The warm and mystical veneer that washes over his photos imbue them with the subtle colors and textures his photography is known for. Mr. Schreiber has exhibited his works at East End Arts, Alex Ferrone Gallery, Ashawagh Hall, Guild Hall, Remsenburg Academy, The Southampton Cultural Center, Karen Mannix Contemporary Gallery, South Street Gallery, and The Lyceum Gallery. He has won many awards including those from Guild Hall and Remsenburg Academy. His image will be featured in the upcoming 4^th Annual National East End Arts show The Figure, where his work was chosen out of 730 entries. He is a member of East End Arts, East End Photographers Group, The American Society of Media Photographers, Southampton Artists Association, Good Ground Artists, and Guild Hall. He is also a supporter of East End Arts and Guild Hall. Steven has an extensive background in design and is an honors graduate of Photographic Imaging at Suffolk County Community College.

More Information about the Rosalie Dimon Gallery

Exhibits at the Rosalie Dimon Gallery are a joint effort by East End Arts and the Jamesport Manor Inn to introduce exceptional artists and their work to the East End communities. East End Arts members who wish to be considered for exhibits at the Jamesport Manor Inn should have updated representations of work in the East End Arts Artist Registry at the East End Arts Gallery, located at 133 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY. The artists selected for East End Arts’ off-site gallery shows are chosen by committee.

For more information, contact Jane Kirkwood, East End Arts Gallery Director: 631-727-0900 or gallery@eastendarts.org or visit www.eastendarts.org.

For more information about viewing the exhibition, call 631-722-0500 or visit www.JamesportManorInn.com.

East End Arts, established in 1972, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts organization, and operates a School of the Arts, an Art Gallery, and presents a variety of events and programs to promote the arts year-round. Proceeds from all events, sales, classes, donations, and memberships benefit the mission and commitment to building and enriching our community through the arts by way of education, support, advocacy, and inspiration.

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R, C, I – South Huntington) recently joined the Long Island Business Institute in congratulating the graduating class of 2015. Lupinacci, the keynote speaker, delivered a commencement address pertaining to the future of the economy, along with his own personal insight and experience. Lupinacci’s main focus was the future of the American dream and its practical application in the business world.

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci addresses the graduates. Photo Credit: NYS.

Lupinacci first articulated his pathway to the Assembly, beginning during his internships with then-First Lady Hillary Rodham-Clinton and the late-Assemblyman James D. Conte. Lupinacci described his experiences in the White House as “once in a lifetime,” however claimed that he “found a mentor,” during his experiences with Assemblyman “Jim” Conte.

“If you take anything from my story, believe that if you take the risk, go the extra step, be the best you can be and do it all with a positive outlook, you will be successful and you will serve as an example to others who are also determined to succeed,” said Lupinacci.

The graduating class, many of whom immigrated to the United States at some point in their lives, were appreciative of the Assemblyman’s insight about the future of the national economy and how the American dream applies to them. “Tomorrow will be shaped by the movers and shakers of our society, who create new opportunities, make investments, foster new jobs and businesses.  You are the people who will restore America’s path to prosperity,” Lupinacci said with confidence.

“It is up to each of you to pave your own path, open new doors and brighten the future for all of us. I have the confidence that each of you is up for the challenge,” Lupinacci concluded.

Pens letter re-affirming that utility’s secrecy threatens the safety of Long Island

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) today announced he has sent a letter to Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary to the New York State Public Service Commission, urging the Commission to make PSEG-LI’s report examining the condition of Long Island’s existing electric generation fleet. The lack of public information about the vulnerabilities of on-island power plants, including their exposure to storm surges, raises serious concerns about the resiliency of our power system and the utility’s secrecy erodes confidence in the Integrated Resource Plan process.

The full text of the letter follows:

July 23, 2015

Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess
Secretary to the Commission
New York State Public Service Commission
Empire State Plaza
Agency Building 3
Albany, NY 12223

Re: PSEG-LI Request for Confidentiality

Dear Secretary Burgess:

I am writing you regarding PSEG Long Island’s (PSEG-LI) April 2, 2015 request for confidentiality to conceal from the public the reports it commissioned examining the condition of the existing on-island electric generation fleet. PSEG-LI contends that these reports, which were prepared by RCM Technologies, contain trade secrets that, if disclosed, would damage their competitive position in the marketplace. I find that claim to be particularly ironic considering that it seems that PSEG-LI is doing everything in its power to ensure that there is no competition in this marketplace. In light of concerns about Long Island’s energy security and recent developments indicating that PSEG-LI has not acted in the best interests of ratepayers, I strongly urge you to make these reports publicly available. The public deserves to know the state of the island’s electric capacity and I am alarmed that PSEG-LI would seek to hide this information.

Despite Hurricane Sandy severely compromising Long Island’s energy infrastructure security, there remains a glaring lack of public information about the vulnerabilities of the current power plants. The resiliency of Long Island’s facilities on the coast is at stake. These facilities – many of which have been in operation for decades – pose risks due to their proximity to the coastline, and we are not adequately prepared to respond to such threats. Both the New York Attorney General and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority have highlighted this specific problem. By withholding information that could shed light on our vulnerabilities and help address electric infrastructure resiliency and security issues, PSEG-LI does a disservice to its customers and New York as a whole.

Additionally, if PSEG-LI is committed to an “open and collaborative” process to legitimize its Integrated Resource Plan, then why the need for secrecy? Without fully understanding the current condition of Long Island’s existing fleet, key stakeholders and my constituents cannot provide sufficient input in this important process. The information contained in these reports is crucial to our understanding of this issue and should therefore be released. Until then, the public’s confidence that this process is credible will continue to erode.

Thank you for your attention to this matter as we work towards a securer energy future for Long Island. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Dean Murray
Member of Assembly
3rd District

Cc: The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police First Squad detectives are investigating a robbery that occurred at a fast food restaurant in North Amityville on Thursday, July 23.

A man entered Burger King, located at 1104 Sunrise Highway, jumped over the counter and demanded money at approximately 7 a.m. The employee complied and the man fled on Bayview Avenue.

The suspect was described as black, 30 to 40 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall to 6 feet tall and unshaven. He was wearing a white doo-rag, black shirt with white writing and gold-framed glasses.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to call First Squad detectives at 631-854-8152 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

Long-Time Planner Was ‘100 Percent ‘Right, County Executive Says

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone presented the Suffolk Medal for Distinguished Service on Monday to Dr. Lee Koppelman, whose visionary work as a master planner has influenced Long Island for decades.

“So much of what makes our region great can be ascribed to him,” the County Executive said at a hearing of the Suffolk County Legislature’s environmental planning and agriculture committee. “From our county’s vast open spaces to the tens of thousands of jobs located in the Hauppauge Industrial Park and the Route 110 corridor, we have Dr. Koppelman’s vision and leadership to thank.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone presented the Suffolk Medal for Distinguished Service on Monday to Dr. Lee Koppelman. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.

“And like most visionaries, some of his visions were a little ahead of their time,” the County Executive said. “Improved rail transit, improved mass transit, revitalized downtowns, greater diversity in housing stock.  These are areas where Dr. Lee Koppelman was an often lonely voice, and now we know, he was 100 percent right.”

Dr. Koppelman was Suffolk County’s first planning director, serving from 1960 to 1988 and led the Regional Planning Board for 41 years as executive director.

He long championed the concept of comprehensive planning, the preservation of open space and protection of the coastal wetlands.

Dr. Koppelman’s visionary work as a master planner has influenced Long Island for decades. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.

He spoke in support of the County Executive’s  Comprehensive Master Plan 2035, entitled a Framework for Our Future, Suffolk County’s first  master plan in 45 years. The master plan draws on and unifies five existing studies.

“I think supporting the most recent efforts of the Planning Department is a no brainer,” Dr. Koppelman said. “No county anywhere in the nation has achieved the environmental protection that this county has achieved. The county, in my judgment, is in very good hands, and the future of the county is, in my judgment, an absolutely bright one.”

The County Executive described the need for careful planning in current and future projects, citing as examples the Ronkonkoma Hub, a mixed-use transit oriented development at the Ronkonkoma train station, and the Reclaim Our Waters initiative, as part of the foundation for sustainable growth and resiliency in Suffolk County.  The County Executive has made water quality his Number One priority.

The new master plan also cites the availability of such world-class research institutions like Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory as essential to the county’s future.

(Long Island, NY) The following statement is from Michael Philbin, Chairman of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council: 

“Tourism helicopters are a vital part of our local economy – generating more than $30M in direct economic benefits and creating hundreds of jobs, many of which are military veterans – as well as the city’s transportation and emergency response infrastructure. Most troubling is that banning tours from Manhattan will not stop air tours from flying in and around New York as that is federally regulated air space and the helicopters will simply fly to and from other venues in New York and New Jersey. Instead, all this bill will do is eliminate hundreds of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in direct revenue to New York City.

“For decades ERHC has worked with the elected officials and community leaders to reduce and eliminate impacts to the local communities and as a result there are actually very few noise complaints about tourism helicopters. We urge the City Council to reconsider this illogical and potentially devastating action.”

Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC) is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1979 by local helicopter pilots. Since its inception, ERHC has always had an active community outreach program to address the concerns of residents relating to helicopter and heliport issues and was awarded the first ever Fly Neighborly Award by HAI. ERHC’s first priority always has been, and remains safety.

Over 50 bikes from 1903 to 2015 on Exhibit

(Long Island, NY) Due to the success of last year’s exhibit the Ward Melville Heritage Organization is once again hosting “America’s Love Affair with the Motorcycle…Continues” now through September 7.  See the evolution of the motorcycle including the 1912 Indian TT Racer (featured in “American Pickers” and pictured here with Creator and Star, Mike Wolf) and a 1975 Ducati 750 Sport from 20^th Century Cycles.

Mike Wolf, creator and star of “American Pickers” with a 1912 Indian TT racer. Photo Credit: Jim Giorgio.

With over 50 bikes on display as well as a host of all new vintage collections, memorabilia, an outdoor car showcase, speakers, artwork and sculptures, visitors are sure to enjoy a memorable experience this summer. There are also foodie specials such as the Hog Hero at Fratelli’s, Knucklehead Chili at Robinson’s, The Harley Hoagie at Crazy Beans, BMW Burger at The Country House and The Screamin’ Eagle at Latitude 121!  Included in this year’s exhibit will also be bikes from the private collection of Joe Buzzetta such as a 1977 Moto Guzzi Le Mans 850and a 1928 restored BMW R52 from The Nettesheim Museum.  In addition to the 1975 Ducati (pictured), a 1972 Honda CB 500 K1, also from 20th Century Cycles, will be on exhibit as well. Additional events include speakers such as Jeffrey James offering his expertise on “Motorcycles and Movies” on August 8^th.

1975 Ducati 750 Sport. Photo Credit: 20th Century Cycles.

The exhibit takes place at WMHO’s Educational & Cultural Center, 97P Main Street, Stony Brook and is open 7 days a week,10 am to 5 pm.  General Admission is $5 pp, Children under 12 are $3 pp.  For full events schedule call 631-689-5888 or visit www.stonybrookvillage.com.

(Long Island, NY) Assemblymen Chad A. Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) and Andrew Raia (R,I,C—East Northport) recently attended a fundraiser for the Long Island Beekeepers Club, hosted by The Paramount in Huntington Village. Lupinacci, joined by other notable public figures including Chris Algeri, former World Super-lightweight Boxing Champion, gave remarks about the Beekeepers Association and the fundraising event. Below are his remarks.

(L to R): Jen Algeri, Chris Algeri, Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci, Chris Algeri (professional boxer), Assemblyman Andrew Raia. Photo Credit: NYS.

“Bees, which some say date back 20 million years, play a pivotal role in the pollination of plants and flowers. In fact, each colony of bees is worth an average of $3500 in fertilizer! 

“On a sweeter note, these bees create one of nature’s sweet nectars: honey. Honey is a crucial component to some cultures, in cuisine, dessert and even medicinal purposes. 

“The Beekeepers association, formed in 1949, has been dedicated to preserving honey bees and protecting their cause through awareness. In 2010, the Beekeepers club was officially declared as a non-for-profit organization and now welcomes nine EAS certified beekeepers who assist others with bee and wasp-related issues. 

“The Beekeepers Club is certainly worthy of my support, and I thank you for gathering here today to express your support as well.”