(Long Island, NY) New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV) announced today the appointment of Pat Tuz as Coordinator for the Capital Region. She will assist NYAGV with its outreach, education and advocacy efforts.

After living in New York City for twenty-two years, Pat moved back to the country to join family and friends. She worked for many years in sales and marketing for major publishing companies including Hearst and Meredith and in internet sales with Netpulse Communications. Tuz said, “Growing up near Sandy Hook, I’ve become aware of the growing publlic health crisis of gun violence in America. And as a member of the community where Nicholas Naumkin’s family lives, I’ve witnessed the devastation his death caused both to his family and to the wider community. We need common sense solutions to prevent these tragedies which is why I am supporting Nicholas’s Law. I am thrilled to be working with NYAGV in their education and advocacy efforts to make our families, children and communities safer.” Pat is based in Saratoga Springs.

“Pat Tuz is a tireless advocate for gun safety and will enhance our work in the Capital Region, ensuring that we continue our progress to protect New Yorkers from the preventable scourge of gun violence,” said NYAGV Executive Director, Leah Gunn Barrett.

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is a statewide advocacy group working to reduce gun violence through advocacy and education designed to encourage action, influence public opinion and lead to policy change. With a primary focus on New York State, the organization also advocates at the local and national levels for sensible laws, policies and practices that protect New York State residents from gun violence.

Former legislative environment chair, White House official begin terms

(Long Island, NY) The Board of Directors of New York’s green government watchdog –Environmental Advocates of New York – is proud to announce that two widely respected leaders in the state have joined the board: former Assembly Environmental Conservation Chairman, Robert Sweeney, and former Associate Director for Policy Outreach at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Amelia Salzman.

“It’s such a thrill to know that passionate, respected leaders like Bob Sweeney and Amy Salzman have joined our board to ensure state government is doing all that it can to protect our environment and public health,” said John Buttrick, chairman of Environmental Advocates’ board of directors. “The breadth of experience they bring to Environmental Advocates is enormous, not just from the policy and legal perspectives, but their unparalleled experience and connections within state and federal government. We are very proud to welcome them to the team, and thank them for their service to Environmental Advocates!”

Mr. Sweeney said, “I’ve worked with Environmental Advocates for decades, and together we accomplished a lot and have much to be proud of. This is an organization that is a watchdog in every sense of the word, that digs deep into the issues across state government. I am really looking forward to working with the whole team to ensure that New York is doing everything it can to protect our environment and public health.”

Ms. Salzman said, “I am thrilled to join forces with Environmental Advocates because it is a fierce and strategic advocate for the environment and public health and it gets the job done. The Environmental Advocates team calls it like it is and with their fingers on the pulse in Albany plays a critical leadership role in the environmental community.”

About Robert “Bob” Sweeney
First elected to the Assembly to represent a district on Long Island in 1988, Assemblyman Sweeney became Chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation in 2007. In that position, he was the environmental community’s biggest champion on priority issues, including climate action, protecting children from toxic chemicals, and a moratorium on High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking), in New York State.

Although his legislative accomplishments extended well beyond environmental matters, Sweeney led passage of many laws that protect public health and the environment including: the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, e-waste recycling, the Sewage Pollution Right to Know act, as well as efforts to fight invasive species and requiring manufacturers to collect unused mercury thermostats. In 2009, Assemblyman Sweeney authored a state law allowing towns to finance homeowner’s home energy improvements by defining carbon emissions as “waste”. This idea was pioneered by the Town of Babylon, and greatly expanded energy efficiency projects there, lowering homeowner’s energy costs and creating new green jobs.

In 2005, Assemblyman Sweeney earned recognition as “one of Albany’s most prolific legislators” by the Gannett News Service for his ability to sponsor bills that get signed into law. He was awarded Legislator of the Year from EPL/Environmental Advocates, the accountability arm of Environmental Advocates of New York.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Adelphi University and a Master of Public Administration from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.

About Amelia “Amy” Salzman
Amy Salzman has been working to improve environmental quality through policy change for over twenty-five years. She currently is principal at Lazer’s Bight, LLC where she provides strategic policy advice to a variety of non-profits and is an adjunct professor at the New York University School of Law.

Ms. Salzman served as Associate Director for Policy Outreach at the White House Council on Environmental Quality under President Obama where she was responsible for engaging with stakeholders and citizens interested in learning about or shaping the Administration’s environmental and energy policies and worked on a wide spectrum of issues including climate and energy, land and water conservation, endangered species protection, technology innovation, pollution, and scientific integrity. She also served on President Obama’s transition team for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Ms. Salzman joined the board of Flora & Fauna, International in 2012 and also serves on the boards of the Open Space Institute, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaways Parks Conservancy and the Institute for Policy Integrity. She received a J.D. from New York University and a BA from Brown University.

A statement from Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square)

(Long Island, NY) “I am pleased to have joined my Assembly colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass meaningful changes to the flawed education policies of recent years. The legislation (A.7303-A) would begin to correct many of the unproven reforms that were implemented in the 2015-16 State Budget.

“By supporting this legislation we’re sending a message to the students, teachers and parents of New York State – we’re still listening and we’re still fighting. This bill enacts new measures to evaluate the standardized tests and assessments being given to our children to ensure that they are age and time appropriate, requires the state education commissioner to thoroughly review the content within the Common Core standards and extends the deadlines for both negotiations and implementation of the new teacher evaluation process until the fall of 2016. The most critical provision was that the school aid that many districts depend on will not be tied to the implementation evaluation process.

“While this is definitely a step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done in the remaining days of the 2015 Legislative Session. We must work to ensure that the Board of Regents has the flexibility and local input to design an evaluation system and curriculum standards that can be tailored to all of the unique school districts in New York.

“My colleagues and I in the Minority Conference are ready to work in a bipartisan manner to further review and restructure New York’s education system. Parents and teachers throughout New York State are clamoring for changes to restore local control, reduce testing and ensure appropriate learning standards. This is our chance to make New York a leader in the movement rather than a follower.”

Assemblyman Ra represents the 19^th Assembly District.

Scott Romero Admitted To Repeatedly Violating Court Order Barring Him From Engaging In Snow Removal Work

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that serial snow removal scammer Scott Romero has admitted to six violations of a court order that was obtained against him in 2011. The violations were admitted this morning before Justice Catherine Nugent Panepinto of the Erie County Supreme Court and Mr. Romero was sentenced to a total of six months in jail – 30 days on each of 6 violations.

The original 2011 court order, obtained by the Attorney General’s Office, was based on allegations that Mr. Romero scammed consumers in the Rochester area by failing to provide promised snow removal services after accepting up-front payments. Earlier this year, contempt of court charges were filed against Romero after he was accused of scamming additional consumers in the Buffalo area. Mr. Romero has admitted that he was in violation of the previous court order when he resumed his snow removal business under a false name and scammed additional victims in Rochester in 2013 and 2014, he is required to refund over $50,000 to these consumers.

“My office will not hesitate to take action against those who defraud New York consumers, including seeking jail time for the worst offenders” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Middle class families across Western New York depend on snow removal services to get to work and to keep their families safe. Contractors who rip off families who are paying hard-earned money for these services must be held accountable.”

When Mr. Romero was first accused of wrongdoing in 2011, a court order obtained by Attorney General Schneiderman’s Office required Romero to pay $50,000 in restitution to victims and to put up a $150,000 bond before he could accept any advance payments from consumers for snow removal work. Attorney General Schneiderman’s Office alleged in a January court filing that Romero failed to put up a $150,000 bond, and scammed additional customers via the very same scheme of accepting advance payment and then failing to provide promised services. Today’s sentencing resolves the state’s contempt of court charges against Romero.

This case was handled by Assistant Attorney General James M. Morrissey in the Buffalo Regional Office, Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Bruce in the Rochester Regional Office, and Senior Consumer Frauds Representative Emily Brightman in the Rochester Regional Office. The Buffalo Regional Office is led by Assistant Attorney General In Charge Michael Russo and the Rochester Regional Office is led by Acting Assistant Attorney General In Charge Gary M. Levine. The Division of Regional Offices is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General for Regional Affairs Marty Mack.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate two women who stole merchandise from a Huntington Station store this month.

Two women stole three dresses from Bloomingdales, located in the Walt Whitman Mall at 270 Walt Whitman Road, on May 7 at approximately 4:05 p.m.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify two women who stole merchandise from a Huntington Station store this month. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The first suspect is described as a black female wearing a coral-colored dress and white Converse high top sneakers. The second suspect is a described as a pregnant black female wearing a multi-colored outfit and a black jacket.

Two women stole three dresses from Bloomingdales, located in the Walt Whitman Mall, on May 7. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The suspects entered the dressing room of Bloomingdales where they cut off the anti-security tags and placed them in a Macy’s shopping bag. They were last seen in the parking lot getting into a grey Hyundai with Massachusetts license plates.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

Including the reopening of Cupsogue Beach which Suffered a Catastrophic Fire in September

(Long Island, NY) After one of the most brutal winters in recorded history, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone will announce the opening of all Suffolk County beaches – including Cupsogue Beach which suffered a catastrophic fire in September that destroyed the 40-year old pavilion which housed the Beach Hut concession stand, and the boardwalk.

County officials have worked to restore Cupsogue Beach for residential use in time for the summer season by installing temporary facilities, including a temporary concession stand and restrooms.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors and residents visit Suffolk County beaches each summer.

All Suffolk beaches will be open to the public on Memorial Day weekend.

WHO:       

• Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone
• Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman (invited)
• Fred Marsilio, Owner, Beach Hut

WHERE:

• Cupsogue Beach County Park
  906 Dune Road
  Westhampton Beach, NY 11978

WHEN:

• Thursday, May 21 @ 1:00 p.m.

(Long Island, NY) County Executive Steve Bellone, Legislator Steve Stern and Ageless Home Living have collaborated to serve a veteran in need. Ageless Home Living, a part of the Four Seasons group of companies, will donate a stair lift to Vietnam veteran Barton Burlison.

“Today, we have the opportunity to improve the quality of life of one of our Suffolk County Veterans,” said County Executive Steve Bellone. “As we commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War how appropriate is it to assist a Vietnam veteran and improve his quality of life. Suffolk County truly thanks Ageless Home Living for their commitment and dedication to serving our veterans.”

Brain Fabian, Chief Services Officer of Ageless Home Living, Assistant Deputy County Executive Tim Sini, Shawn Lyons, SC Veterans Service Agency, County Executive Steve Bellone, Barton Burlison, Legislator Steve Stern, and John Roberge, President of Ageless Home Living. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.

“We all have a responsibility to our veterans and their families to help ensure that their needs are met,” said Legislator Steve Stern, Chair of the Suffolk County Veterans and Seniors Committee. “A very special thank you to Ageless Home Living for providing assistance to our neighbor who has served our great nation and for reminding our community, especially as we approach Memorial Day, that we all need to do our part in serving those that have served us.”

Ageless Home Living contacted the Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency back in April to ascertain if there was a veteran in need of a stair lift in his home to assist him with maneuvering around the house. The Veterans office quickly identified a veteran in need and Ageless Home Living answered the call.

Legislator Steve Stern, Vietnam veteran Barton Burlison, County Executive Steve Bellone and John Roberge, President of Ageless Home Living. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.

“Ageless Home Living wanted to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for our country,” stated Brian Fabian, Chief Services Officer of Ageless Home Living. ‘We were happy to partner with Suffolk County to identify a veteran in need and provide to him a fully installed stair lift in his home.”

Barton Burlison was born on 5/7/1947. He served in the United States Navy from 1964 to 1969 on the USS Arnold J. Isbell during the Vietnam War and signed on for 3 tours of duty, each lasting 7 to 8 months.

“I feel so blessed that I have been given the opportunity to now move throughout my home,” stated Barton Burlison. “This stair lift is going to change my own life in my own home. Since November of last year, it has been very difficult for me to travel the stairs in my home, hence I have not been able to sleep in my bed since November. Now that I am going to have a stair lift installed, I will be able to return to my bed. I hope that more companies follow the lead of Ageless Home Living and offer this opportunity to other veterans in Suffolk County and throughout the nation.”

The donated stair lift is sold by Ageless Home Living and manufactured by Harmar Mobility, a supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project. The two companies collaborated on the donation of the stair lift to Barton Burlison.

(Long Island, NY) The Third Squad is investigating a Grand Larceny that occurred on Thursday April 1, 2015 at 9:00 pm in East Meadow.

According to detectives, a 30 year old female working on the third floor of the Nassau University Medical Center located at 2201 Hempstead Turnpike noticed that an unknown person (s) entered an unlocked office and removed a black wallet from her pocketbook.

Nassau County Police are investigating a Grand Larceny that occurred on Thursday April 1, in East Meadow. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The wallet contained an undisclosed amount of US currency, a Bethpage Credit and a Bethpage Debit Card. It was later discovered by the victim that unauthorized use of her credit and debit cards were used on:

• April 1, 2015 at 11:45 pm, credit card used at Exxon Vega Gas Station, 196 Henry Street, Freeport
• April 2, 2015 at 12:05 am, cash withdrawal was made at the Bethpage Credit Union Branch ATM machine, 170 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead
• April 2, 2015, 1:16 am a debit card was used at Walgreens, 89 Henry Street, Freeport
• April 9, 2015, 4:39 pm a cash withdrawal was made at the Bethpage Credit Union, 210 West Merrick Road, Freeport

A subsequent investigation by detectives revealed that the subject that made the unauthorized use of the credit/debit cards is described as being male, black, heavy build, red sweatshirt / Champion logo, black pants, red sneakers, and a black hat.

Detectives request that anyone with information regarding this crime to contact the Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) today took a stand for the students and teachers of New York State by helping pass Assembly Bill A.7303-A, which would alter and eliminate some of the State Education Department’s newest regulations that have negatively impacted school districts across New York State for months.

“This bill is a step in the right direction in protecting our teachers from unfair evaluations and our students from grueling tests, but our efforts should not stop here,” said Lupinacci, who is a former School Board Member at South Huntington High School. “We need to keep our voices loud and passionate, and make it clear to the governor and the State Education Department that our school districts will not be hindered any longer.”

The legislation addresses several issues, including extending the deadline on new teacher evaluations from June 30, 2015 until November 17, 2015, and guarantees no loss of funding if the evaluations are not in place by the deadline. The bill also removes the requirement that school districts must use independent evaluators in classroom observations, and would implement a Content Review Committee that would review standardized tests to ensure that students are being graded fairly.

“My Assembly Minority colleagues and I understand that students are not statistics. This bill is a good first step to reform the teacher evaluation system and explore more accurate and fair options which put our children first. As a fellow educator, I truly value the work of New York’s public school teachers and commend them for their devoted efforts.”

(Long Island, NY) Oyster Bay is rich in Colonial history and the Historical Society has a sure fire craft to ignite your child’s imagination.  Kids will create and build their own powder horn and tricorn hat with inspiration from real 18^th century powder horns from the Society’s collection.

Pop Rocks Powder Horn. Photo Credit: Oyster Bay Historical Society.

With Pop Rocks® instead of gunpowder, these keepsakes will be a blast to make!

Two boys with their Pop Rocks and powder horn. Photo Credit: Oyster Bay Historical Society.

Begins after school (3:45)-5:00 p.m., Thursday, June 18th. Suitable for grades 3^rd and 4th.  $15 per child with all supplies and healthy snacks provided.

Space is limited.  Contact the Society for details and reservations at 922-5032 or obhslibrary@optonline.net.