(Long Island, NY) A 30-year-old East Islip man convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated driving while intoxicated, vehicular manslaughter, speeding and reckless driving will be sentenced in First District Court in Central Islip today (Wednesday, May 20), Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

On May 4, 2014 Charles Koukalenios was driving his Camaro north on Carleton Avenue when he crossed over into an oncoming lane, struck a center median and collided with a southbound 2002 Buick Century. The driver, 84-year-old Mary Rogalle of Central Islip, was pronounced dead at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore,

Tests of his blood found Koukalenios had a .13 blood alcohol level four hours after the crash.

State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho capped the defendant’s sentence at five to 15 years in state prison during Koukalenios’ plea on March 11.

The court calendar will begin at 9:30 am.

Bill attacks safe mortgage standards and exempts the largest banks from complying with key consumer protections

(Long Island, NY) On May 12, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Richard Shelby unveiled a discussion draft of a bill that would, among other things, undermine key banking and mortgage reforms established by the landmark Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Center for Responsible Lending vice president Mitria Wilson offered the following remarks:

For five years, post-crisis lending rules have made the financial system safer by eliminating abusive financial products, reining in reckless behavior, and encouraging more effective oversight. The draft legislation released by Chairman Shelby seeks to gut these protections and rollback the safeguards that helped this country recover from the worst financial crisis in recent history.

The draft bill favors large financial institutions over community lenders, undermines consumer protections designed to prevent another economic meltdown, and creates bureaucratic hurdles for mortgage lenders.  This is an extreme measure that, if passed, would raise the cost of mortgages, trap borrowers in unsustainable debt, and allow for many of the same unfair and deceptive practices that brought about the recent crisis.

There are certainly ongoing challenges in the mortgage market that should be addressed including ensuring all creditworthy borrowers have access to fair and affordable credit.  But we head in the wrong direction if we weaken – and in some cases eliminate – fundamental standards that keep mortgages safe, banks accountable, and people protected. 

This is not a bill that serves the best interests of consumers or families.  

This bill is scheduled to be marked up on Thursday, May 21 in the Senate Banking Committee.

To speak with Mitria Wilson – or to learn more about the specific provisions of theFinancial Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015 – please contact Andrew High at Andrew.High@responsiblelending.org or 919-313-8533.

Panepinto: “It’s time to put a definitive end to this social injustice and give our hardworking families a fighting chance.”

(Long Island,  NY) Senator Marc Panepinto (D-Buffalo) spoke today on hiscomprehensive income inequality legislation. The Senator’s bill – S.5602 – will incrementally raise the minimum wage and tipped wage by 2018 and ensure that future increases beyond then are tied to the rate of inflation. He issued the following statement outside the Senate Chamber:

“Income inequality is the number one problem that faces our democracy in this country. In Western New York and throughout New York State, it is no secret that the minimum wage currently serves as a poverty wage for too many struggling workers and hardworking families. My legislation will reverse this injustice by placing New York State at the forefront of the growing national movement against income inequality. My colleagues in the Assembly have already demonstrated their confidence in this life-changing legislation by passing it earlier this month.  I implore my fellow lawmakers in the Senate to follow that lead and put a definitive end to this social injustice felt by so many millions.

Senator Panepinto’s Minimum Wage legislation accomplishes the following:

• Provide a higher minimum wage by increasing the statutory minimum wage in areas with a high cost of living over a period of three years

Increases would be broken down as follows:

• Dec. 31, 2016; $12.50 in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties and $10.50 in the rest of the State.
• Dec. 31, 2017; $13.75 in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties and $11.55 in the rest of the State.
• Dec. 31, 2018; $15.00 in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties and $12.60 in the rest of the State
• Indexes the minimum wage to the rate of inflation on and after December 31, 2019
• Raises the tipped wage for workers over a period of three years to be broken down as follows:
• Dec. 31, 2016; $10.40 in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties and $8.75 in the rest of the state.
• Dec. 31, 2017; $11.45 in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties and $9.65 in the rest of the state.
• Dec. 31, 2018; $12.50 in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties and $10.50 in the rest of the state
• Indexes the tipped wage to the rate of inflation on and after December 31, 2019.

The Senator’s bill was already passed by the New York State Assembly.

 

Senator Panepinto represents the 60th Senate District, which includes parts of the City of Buffalo as well as communities in both the Northtowns and the Southtowns of Western New York.

 

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) today applauded members of the Assembly’s Committee on Education for passing A.7303-a, which enacts a variety of measures relating to Annual Professional Performance Reviews (APPR), Common Core testing and school district requirements set forth in this year’s budget. McDonough was glad his colleagues on the other side of the aisle are finally joining the Assembly Republicans in their push to protect schools, teachers and students.

“My Democratic colleagues have finally seen the light and are joining the Assembly Republican Conference to protect teachers, parents and students,” McDonough said. “Our conference was the first to stand up against the unfair link of school aid increases to APPR implementation and against alienating teachers through a poorly-constructed education budget bill. It is unfortunate that Assembly Democrats will use this bill as a political band-aid after the uproar about the education budget bill they forced through the Legislature on March 31. I look forward to supporting this legislation because it is a necessary step toward protecting our schools and putting control of education back into our classrooms and out of the hands of bureaucrats.”

Major highlights of the legislation would require the State Education Department (SED) to adopt APPR regulations by November 17, 2015 and extend the date by which schools must implement teacher evaluations until November 15, 2016. The bill also separates teacher evaluation implementation from school aid increases and requires that a significant number of test questions and correct answers for grade 3-8 Common Core Assessments be released.

Three Companies Receive $10,000 Each to Get Established

(Queens, NY) The Queens Economic Development Corporation — with funding from the Citi Foundation — announced the winners of the ninth annual StartUP! Business Plan Competition, a five-month challenge-and-instruction course, during Queens Taste 2015 on May 12. The winners were awarded $10,000 each to jumpstart their businesses.

Esta-Joy Sydell, who operates Esta-Joy’s Kitchen, took top honors in the “Food-Based” category. This gourmet baking company specializes in old-fashioned, streusel-topped, fresh fruit Buckle Cakes. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, these preservative-free delights come in transparent, eco-friendly packaging. Flavors include Blueberry Peach, Hudson Valley Apple, Hudson Valley Apple Cranberry, Hudson Valley Rhubarb, Mixed Berry, Nectarine, New Jersey Blueberry, and Peach.

Seen in photo at the announcement during Queens Taste 2015 at the New York Hall of Science are the following (from left): Sante Antonelli from QEDC; Edward Odom from Citi, Patricia Ornst from Delta; Esta-Joy Sydell from Esta-Joy’s Kitchen; Karen Domingo-Moran from Kidspire; Ricardi Calixte from QEDC; Amy Saekow from Tisana; Seth Bornstein from QEDC; and Tara Lannen-Stanton from Queens Library. Photo Credit: Queens Economic Development Corporation.

In the “Community” category, Karen Domingo-Moran and her Kidspire LLC were the winners. Through summer and weekend workshops and in-school residencies, Kidspire offers educational enrichment that inspires young minds to visualize, draw, and construct through architecture and design. Students from kindergarten through the eighth grade engage in projects focusing on creative thinking, problem solving, and 3D construction while developing their spatial reasoning skills. Kidspire takes place at various elementary public schools in the borough now, but Domingo-Moran hopes to expand to other locations and eventually create a learning center.

Amy Saekow and her health-products company, Tisana LLC, prevailed in the “Innovation” category. Tisana offers seasonal herbal elixirs and tonics made from organic flowers, roots, leaves, berries, and mushrooms. With almost no calories, these beverages are based on traditional, time-tested plant combinations known to enhance health. Saekow also donates 5 percent of Tisana’s gross profits to the Brooklyn Food Coalition and Eyes to Burma.

Over the course of this year’s StartUP!, about 350 participants received technical assistance and training on such business topics as pricing, marketing, and tax filing, while also enjoying access to entrepreneurial resources at Queens Central Library in Jamaica. Then, more than 35 teams submitted business plans to selected judges, who determined the winners.

“We are pleased to once again support the ninth annual StartUp! competition with a grant from the Citi Foundation,” said Eileen Auld, NY Tri State Market Director, Citi Community Development. “Competitions such as StartUp! foster and encourage innovation among entrepreneurs, who as a result can potentially create jobs in communities where they are needed moste.”

“Queens Library is open for business! Partnering with QEDC on the StartUP Business Plan Competition is one of the great ways we educate entrepreneurs and support new and growing businesses. We invite businesses large and small to use Queens Library’s free resources to jump-start success,” stated Bridget Quinn-Carey, Interim President and CEO, Queens Library.

“Announcing the winners of the StartUP! competition is a highlight of my year,” said QEDC Executive Director Seth Bornstein. “I salute all the participants for allowing us to help them become entrepreneurs.”

 

(Long Island, NY) The Art League of Long Island’s Summer Portfolio Program, now in its 20^th year, is back with a new lead instructor and a fresh new approach.  Under the direction of Artist/Instructor Nikki Girgenti, teens ages 14-17 will be able to fully immerse themselves in the creative process, develop a sense of camaraderie and community with their fellow artists, and expand their portfolios as they strive to set themselves apart as artists. The Summer Portfolio Program will help students understand the importance and the dynamics involved in creating an above average art portfolio, given the competitive nature of the college admissions process.  Studies in observational drawing, figure drawing, mixed media, watercolors, acrylic, printmaking, digital photography, landscapes, book arts, found object art, sculpture, and alternative techniques will be explored. Students will enjoy unique experiences, such as mock portfolio reviews, creating digital portfolios, guest speakers, and much more.

This is a great opportunity for high school students to spend time developing their portfolios; whether they plan on applying to a BFA program, intend to submit an art supplement, or simply want to add to their breadth of artwork as they prepare for AP or IB art courses in High School.  The Summer Portfolio sessions take place 9:30am to 2:30pm Monday through Fridayat the Art League’s center in Dix Hills in two 3-week sessions: July 6-24 and July 27-August 14.

Nikki Girgenti is an accomplished artist and educator who earned her MA at Stony Brook University and BA at Dowling College.  With nearly a decade of teaching at the Art League, including two years of administrative experience in the League’s Summer Art Adventure Program, and eight years of teaching high school art, Girgenti brings a fresh approach combined with a strong record of success to the Summer Portfolio Program.  She currently teaches 11^thgrade Portfolio and 12^th grade Advanced Portfolio and has a reputation for guiding scores of students towards outstanding outcomes.

The Art League of Long Island will be offering a Scholarship for a $630 tuition voucher toward session one or two of Summer Portfolio Development 2015.  Meet Ms. Girgenti and learn more about the program and the scholarship opportunity at the information session on June 6from 11am to 12 pm in the Art League’s Center at 107 East Deer Park Road in Dix Hills.  Scholarship applicants must attend the June 6 event or the previous information event to be eligible for funding.

Call (631) 462-5400 x222 for a brochure or register at www.artleagueliregistration.org./summer-art-adventure. 

Ringleader Tyrone Lee And Bank Teller Nadia Figueroa, Recently Sentenced To State Prison For A Similar Scheme, Charged On 50-Count Indictment

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the re-arrest of ringleader Tyrone “Reece” Lee and former bank teller Nadia Figueroa on a 50-count indictment in Orange County Supreme Court. The defendants, who are charged with running an identity-theft ring that stole over $457,000 from customers of Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo), both pleaded guilty earlier this year to operating a similar identity-theft scheme in Westchester County.

“Today’s re-arrests show that identity theft remains a growing problem and that we all must redouble efforts to ensure our personal data is safe and secure,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will continue to take action against anyone who jeopardizes the financial security of New Yorkers – including bank tellers who do so by taking advantage of customers’ trust. And we will continue to work to protect all of us, from large corporations, to small business and families, from this threat.”

The Attorney General’s current indictment, unsealed today in Orange County Supreme Court, charges Lee, 28, and Figueroa, 24, both of the Bronx, with the crimes of Grand Larceny in Second Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Identity Theft in the First Degree, and Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, for conduct between July 2010 and August 2011. If convicted of the top count, both defendants face up to 15 years in prison.

The Attorney General’s indictment alleges that Figueroa, while employed as a teller at a Wachovia Bank branch, located at 41 North Plank Road in Newburgh, N.Y., unlawfully accessed and stole the bank account numbers and personal identification information of more than 200 victims from a branch located in Newburgh. According to statements made by prosecutors at arraignment, many of the accounts victimized were selected by a practice known as “name surfing,” wherein Figueroa illegally searched Wachovia’s customer database for common names, states of residence, and high account balances. Lee then allegedly used the stolen information to withdraw funds from 77 customer accounts at branches located Orange County, Nassau County, New York City, as well as in Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia.

Among the 123 different Wachovia branches whose customers were victims of identity theft are:

• 3584 Long Beach Road, Oceanside, N.Y.
• 3709 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, N.Y.
• 1076 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers, N.Y.
• 339 Hemingway Avenue, East Haven, C.T.
• 150 Elm Street, Westfield, N.J.
• 13140 U.S. Highway 301, Riverview, F.L.

In September 2014, Lee and Figueroa were arrested and charged by the Attorney General’s Office, along with three other individuals, for operating a similar identity-theft ring in Westchester Countyfrom July 2012 to June 2014. As in Orange County, Lee orchestrated the hiring of corrupt bank tellers and also directed them to target customers with common names and over $50,000 in their accounts.  These bank tellers, including Figueroa, fraudulently accessed and stole personal information, including account numbers and Social Security numbers, from hundreds of customers at Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and TD Bank. The customer information was later smuggled to Lee, who conspired to create fraudulent checks and identification documents using the stolen customer information. Lee arranged for other ring members to impersonate bank account holders, using these fake documents, in order to withdraw money at bank branches in Westchester County, New York City and Long Island, as well as Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Earlier this year, Lee pleaded guilty to the entire 37-count Westchester County indictment against him, including multiple counts of Grand Larceny in the Second and Third Degrees and Identity Theft in the First Degree, and was sentenced to 4 ½ to 9 years in state prison. Figueroa pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and was sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison in Westchester County Supreme Court on May 14. Their three charged co-conspirators in the Westchester scheme also pleaded guilty.

Both defendants were arraigned today on the new indictment before Judge Jeffrey G. Berry in Orange County Supreme Court.

The charges against the defendants are allegations and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

These prosecutions were the culmination of a long-term investigation by the Attorney General’s Crime Proceeds Strike Force, including court-authorized wiretaps and search warrants.

Attorney General Schneiderman thanks the New York State Department of Financial Services, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Police and for their valuable assistance in this case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Rhonda Greenstein and Tyler Reynolds of the Attorney General’s Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau. The bureau is led by Bureau Chief Gary T. Fishman and Deputy Bureau Chiefs Meryl Lutsky and Stephanie Swenton. The Division of Criminal Justice is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.

The investigation was conducted by Legal Support Analyst Theo Davidson, Investigators Steve Pratt, Vincent Gisonti, Sylvia Rivera, Ismael Hernandez, Ryan Fannon and Dave Negron and Larry Riccio, Senior Investigator Dennis Maddalone, Supervising Investigator John Sullivan, and Deputy Chief Investigators John McManus and Greg Stasiuk. The Investigations Division is led by Chief Investigator Dominick Zarrella.

At Center Moriches High School, Hosted by Walker Vreeland, WBAZ

(Long Island, NY) East End Arts is pleased to announce that the 13^th Annual Teeny Awards Ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2015 at Center Moriches High School. The Teeny Awards, conceived from the idea of the Antoinette Perry Awards – The Tony Awards – for Broadway shows, has been celebrating excellence in high school theatre across the East End of Long Island since 2002. Through the Teeny Awards program, East End Arts strives to raise the bar on theatre education by encouraging increased attendance and community pride at school productions, much like school sports programs. Behind-the-scenes coordination takes place throughout the school year, as volunteer judges attend all high school theatrical performances on the East End to determine the best for nomination, and in June, the winners are announced at the Teeny Awards Gala Ceremony. At the Ceremony, the public is invited to relive some great performances from this year’s shows from the 16 participating high schools in the region, and celebrate the best of the best in East End high school theatre! The awards are presented by esteemed community members, theatre professionals, and arts supporters, and will be hosted by radio personality, broadcaster, host and interviewer, Walker Vreeland.On Sunday, June 7, 2015, the Red Carpet will begin at 1:30 PM in the auditorium lobby, and the Ceremony will commence at 3:00 PM. Center Moriches High School is located at 311 Frowein Rd, Center Moriches NY.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.eastendarts.org/programs/events/teeny-ceremony.html. Adult tickets are $20 in advance (must purchase by 3:00 PM on Friday, June 5),and $25 at the door; student tickets are $10 in advance, and $12 at the door.

The award nominees were announced on Friday, May 8 on WPPB 88.3 FM with Bonnie Grice on her morning radio show, as well as on WBAZ 102.5 FM with Walker Vreeland on his afternoon radio show. For the complete list of nominees, visit http://www.eastendarts.org/programs/teeny-2015-nominees.html.

“We have some really fun surprises for the students and the audience this year,” said Anita Boyer, Teeny Awards Coordinator. “The faculty and staff at Center Moriches has been so welcoming and accommodating and we are honored to be presenting the ceremony at their theatre! And as for having Walker Vreeland emcee, I could not be happier,” Anita continued. “He has gone above and beyond to make this a ceremony for the books! He is so passionate about the program and is thrilled to be able to host and is even bringing WBAZ 102.5 FM to broadcast LIVE from the red carpet!”

The Teeny Awards recognizes student talent with judging categories such as Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress in the categories of Plays and Musical. Individual awards also go for design categories including Program Art and Choreography and recognition is given for set design, stage managing, lighting and sound design and student direction. The coveted “Judges’ Choice” award goes to an exemplary performance or performer and has sometimes gone to an entire cast or play, but it can also go to an individual.

The 13^th Annual Teeny Awards is made possible by the support of our sponsors. East End Arts extends its thanks to lead sponsor Suffolk County National Bank, with additional support from Macy’s, Empire National Bank, as well as, Mary Ann & Joseph Martorano, Sea Tow, Tanger Outlet Center, and Bridgehampton National Bank, Dr. Joseph Duva, and media sponsors WPPB 88.3 FM, WBAZ 102.5 FM, and myLITV.com.

For more information about the Teeny Awards, contact Anita Boyer atteenyawards@eastendarts.org, or visit http://www.eastendarts.org/programs/events/teeny-ceremony.html.

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 of bringing the arts to everyone and inspiring communities through service, advocacy and education.

Package addresses failures in this year’s budget and the Common Core rollout

(Long Island, NY) The Senate Democratic Conference today announced the introduction of bills to reform the state’s public school system and address the concerns raised by education stakeholders due to the proposed changes made in the 2015 State Budget. The legislative package will implement reforms to teacher evaluation system, increase fairness for student assessments and provide support for community schools that offer wraparound social services.

“Each member of the State Legislature has a constitutional and moral responsibility to ensure that every child in New York State has access to a quality education,” Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “The bills introduced by the Senate Democratic Conference will help undo the damage caused by the rushed-through education changes resulting from this year’s State Budget. The stakeholders in our state’s education system have been clear, we need to stop over-testing students and demonizing teachers for the failings in the public education system and finally address the root problems. The Senate Democratic Conference will keep up the fight to improve our public education system and it is my hope that under its new leadership, the Senate Republican Majority will join with us to make these necessary reforms.”

Senator George Latimer, Ranking Member on the Senate Education Committee, said,

“Students, parents and educators across New York State have loudly voiced their concerns over recent misguided education policies. The recent state budget and the Common Core rollout has demonized hard working teachers, continues to overburden our kids with standardized tests and has failed to adequately fund public schools in struggling communities. It’s now time for the State Senate Republicans to hear their voices and join with the Democratic Conference to pass these needed bills to fulfill our Constitutional responsibilities and put our public education system back on the right track.”

Senator Marc Panepinto said, “This is about fundamental fairness for our students and flexibility for our teachers. It is a two-pronged step in the right direction. By more fairly assessing students, we not only give them a fighting chance at a quality education, but provide a more realistic determination of our teacher’s performance. The restoration of the locally negotiated “student achievement metric” will reestablish equity in school districts across New York State. Our diverse student population is part of what sets New York State apart – our teachers recognize that best. Let’s even the playing field for all.”

Senator Gustavo Rivera said, “Doubling down on standardized testing to determine the success of both students and teachers, as well as the financial health of a school, is simply irresponsible and ineffective. The education package being proposed today aims to reverse a number of the changes made to our education system during this year’s budget in order to implement a lasting and reasonable evaluations system, ensures our schools are appropriately funded and truly improve the educational outcomes of our students.”

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, “I am proud to join my Democratic colleagues to introduce this package of commonsense education bills. By evaluating our teachers on clear, rational metrics and providing our students with the resources they need to succeed through the Community Schools Grant Program and additional infrastructure funding, we will move our education system forward in a sensible manner that serves teachers and students alike. Each of these bills, including legislation to make the unfunded mandate of independent, outside teacher evaluators optional instead of required, which I am pleased to sponsor, are critical improvements we must make to our education system so that every child has access to an excellent education.”

Introduced in the Senate Democratic Conference education package are bills that will:

• Repeal a provision implemented in the 2015 State Budget that allows New York State to withhold additional school aid from districts should they not have their “Annual Professional Performance Review Plans” approved by the Commissioner of Education by November 15, 2015.
• School districts will no longer be forced to choose between unreasonable evaluation requirements and sufficient financial support from the state.
• Implement an advisory council to review “Annual Professional Performance Review Plans”
• Restore use of the locally negotiated “student achievement metric” for teacher evaluations and make it available to school districts as part of the optional supplemental assessment subcomponent of the student performance category.
• The “student achievement metric” more fairly assesses children who are above grade-level as well as students with special needs.
• Restoring this metric will make assessments more realistic and useful for school districts to determine teachers’ performances.

Study the costs associated with statewide assessments of students in school districts throughout New York State.

• This would provide an important analysis of how public resources are spent for educational testing, curriculum building, graduation requirements and other essential components to developing effective education policy.
• The information collected will help start a statewide conversation on how taxpayer funds are distributed and utilized.

Establish the “Community Schools Grant Program” to fund community schools that offer wraparound social services.

• This program would create high quality, culturally relevant curriculum, health, social and emotional services in high needs communities, and then share the best practices across the state and nation.
• The State Education Commissioner would be directed to award competitive grants to eligible school districts to use existing school buildings as community hubs.
• Establish the “Community Schools Grant Program” to fund community schools that offer wraparound social services.

Make the use of independent, outside evaluators optional instead of required.

• The enacted 2015 State Budget imposed an unfunded mandate by requiring school districts to utilize outside evaluators to observe and assess teachers.
• This legislation would reform that practice by making the use of outside evaluators optional and not required.

The Senate Democratic Conference also called for $682 million in new settlement funds to be invested in an education infrastructure bank. These funds will be utilized to pay for needs associated with health and safety, accessibility, physical capacity and school construction projects. This essential investment, which was left out of the enacted 2015 State Budget, will help rebuild crumbling public schools across New York State and help create good local jobs. Funds for this program will come from the state’s projected surplus and are separate from the Smart Schools Bond Act.

Senator Neil Breslin said, “There are only four weeks life to ensure New York’s students receive the quality education they deserve. Time is running out and we must act quickly. I urge all of my colleagues to stand with us to pass these common sense education policies so students, schools, teachers, and parents have the tools they need to succeed.”

Senator Martin Malavé Dilan said, “The education reforms to come out of this year’s budget were vague at best. Virtually every question worth asking went unanswered and the concerns from parents and educators throughout the state were given little or no consideration. In the best interests of enacting result-driven, goal-oriented education reforms we need to revisit much of these proposals.”

Senator Jesse Hamilton said, “We need steps that treat teachers like the learned professionals they are. Not as test proctors. Not as targets. And not as scapegoats. We need steps that lift up community schools – getting services to families so that every student begins the day prepared to learn. Not hungry. Not worried about troubles at home. These steps represent the holistic vision of education that New Yorkers deserve. A vision that takes into account parents working multiple jobs, safety in the community, and the many factors beyond the schoolhouse doors that impact student success. These measures get us the information we need to make informed policy decisions, help students and families in need of support, and set up the systems to secure success in our schools.”

Senator Jose Peralta said, “This year’s budget package included a series of rushed education policies that did not address much needed policy reforms across the State. Plain and simple, we should not be playing politics with our children’s education. The series of bills being introduced today by the Senate Democratic Conference provide for meaningful measurements of success for both educators and students. I extend my thanks to Leader Stewart-Cousins and all of my Democratic colleagues for their leadership on this issue.”

Jasmine Gripper, Legislative Coordinator for the Alliance for Quality Education, said, “Teachers, parents and students are tired of being used as political pawns. It’s time to get back to focusing on students and their learning. These bills are a step in the right direction for New York’s children and schools. Thanks to the leadership of the Senate Democrats for prioritizing students, families and communities.”

Ivette Alfonso, President of Citizen Action of New York, said, “Students’ learning must be the first priority in our schools. We thank the Senate Democrats for fighting against high-stakes testing and in support of expanding community schools.”

Peter McNally, Executive Director of the NYS Federation of School Administrators (NYSFSA), said: “These bills address many of the concerns on provisions of the SFY 2015-2016 State Budget and the APPR system. NYSFSA believes policymakers must embrace what is right with education and move the accountability discussion beyond how heavily student testing is tied to teacher and principal evaluations toward research based reforms that support student achievement.”

Andy Pallotta, Executive Vice President of New York State United Teachers, said, “This package of bills will provide welcome remedy for some of the serious flaws in state testing and evaluation policy. It is a necessary step toward helping parents, educators and students reclaim the joy of teaching and learning. We look forward to working with the Legislature to see that these common sense, research-supported changes are enacted.”

Kevin Casey, Executive Director of School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS), said, “SAANYS and the educational leaders we represent applaud any careful and thoughtful analysis of student testing, professional evaluations, and the myriad of current education policies that do not necessarily enhance student achievement. The decoupling of state aid from APPR plans is critical and we encourage immediate action to get our schools the support they need now.”

Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers, said, “This package of legislation corrects many of Gov. Cuomo’s misguided budget ideas. It gives communities more time to come up with a new evaluation plan, guarantees them extra state aid without strings attached and brings some degree of sanity to the mess that is New York’s standardized testing program. It also enables schools to provide more services to children in school.”

Follow on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/NYSenDems.

New documentary explores the club’s history through never-before-seen footage of Friars roasts and interviews with Larry King, Joy Behar, Jerry Lewis and Lisa Lampanelli and more

(Long Island, NY) Best known for its risqué celebrity roasts and membership that reads like a who’s who of entertainment royalty, the Friars Club is the entertainment world’s most notorious fraternity, largely composed of famous performers, composers, producers, singers, actors and comedians.  The rich history of entertainment and laughter are revealed in the half-hour documentary Treasures of New York: Friars Club, premiering on Thursday, May 21 at 10 p.m. on WLIW21 and Friday, May 22 at 10 p.m. on THIRTEEN.

What began in 1904 as a weekly meeting of New York City press agents, soon became the “club to join.” Friars Club began honoring its own, throwing lavish black-tie dinners as tribute to the members. The club hosted the first-ever “Roast” in 1949, where entertainment greats would take their best shots at a guest of honor, an event that would become one of the most imitated affairs worldwide. French entertainer Maurice Chevalier was the first to receive the honor with Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, Harry Belafonte, Rita Moreno, Sid Caesar, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Billy Crystal, Carol Burnett, Whoopi Goldberg, Joan Rivers and Betty White among just a few of the many to be roasted in the years to come.

Beyond its entertainment pursuits, the Friars Club has a long history of charitable giving, supporting performing arts organizations and students, senior citizen and children’s centers, and veterans and military families. The premiere of Treasures of New York: Friars Club coincides with the national PBS broadcast of The Lincoln Awards: A Concert for Veteran’s & Military Family, which is presented by The Friars Foundation, the charitable arm of the Friars Club, on Friday, May 22 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN. The inaugural Lincoln Awards recognizes outstanding achievement in providing opportunities and support to veterans and military families.

Treasures of New York: Friars Club features interviews with Larry King, Joy Behar, Lisa Lampanelli, Susie Essman, Jerry Lewis, Jeffrey Ross and Mark Simone among others.

After the initial broadcast, the full episode will be available for online streaming at thirteen.org/treasures.  The Treasures of New York website also offers past episodes about some of New York’s greatest institutions.

Treasures of New York: Friars Club is a production of WLIW LLC in association with WNET. WNET is the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York’s public television stations and operator of NJTV.

Mary Lockhart is director. Ally Gimbel is producer. Kaitlyn Leidl is associate producer. Diane Masciale is general manager of WLIW21 and executive producer of local production, including the Treasures of New York series.

Funding for Treasures of New York: Friars Club has been provided by Jack and Shirley Silver.

About WNET
As New York’s flagship public media provider and the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to more than 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances,American Masters, PBS NewsHour Weekend, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children’s programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchaseand provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state’s unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. WNET is also a leader in connecting with viewers on emerging platforms, including the THIRTEEN Explore App where users can stream PBS content for free.