
PATERSON OUT
N.Y.’s ‘Lame Duck’ Governor’s Ability to Govern Is Questioned
If
Governor David Paterson wants to know why he can’t run for reelection and
why he may not last the duration of his term in office, all he has to do
is look around at the state of the state.
Fundamental issues such as a reduction in state subsidies for Long Island
parks (Paterson is a Long Islander) are telltale signs of misplaced
governing priorities as is a lack of control of Nassau County’s growing
heroin epidemic. Funny, this was never a problem when Denis Dillon served
as county District Attorney.
Flea Market in RVC
The
Village of Rockville Centre will host the Annual Spring Holiday Crafts
Fair and Flea Market Sunday, March 21 at the Recreation Center, 111 North
Oceanside Road.
A
large assortment of merchandise will be available for all ages and all
tastes. The fair runs from 9:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. with abundant free
parking and free admission. Call 678-9338 or 678-9339.
Coumo Obtains $3 Million Judgment
Against Woman In Illegal Action
Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo announced on March 1st his office has
won a court judgment of more than $3 million against Miriam Mercedes
Hernandez of Queens, who targeted and defrauded immigrants out of hundreds
of thousands of dollars by promising to help them obtain legal status and
then never doing so. The action is the latest in Attorney General Cuomo’s
ongoing investigation into immigration fraud.
The
judgment is the result of a lawsuit filed by Cuomo in May 2009, claiming
Hernandez engaged in fraud and deceptive practices, and violated New York
civil rights laws when she falsely promised to assist individuals and
families seeking legal status. Hernandez wrongly claimed that she could
obtain expedited legal status for people through her alleged relationships
with government officials. For her services, Hernandez charged individuals
up to $7,500 as an initial fee, and up to $15,000 per person. However,
Hernandez never performed the services promised. When the victims
requested a refund, Hernandez threatened them and refused to return their
money or their documents.
“The
court’s decision gives full restitution to victims who trusted this person
to help them, and, in the end, were left with little more than lies and
false promises,” said Attorney General Cuomo. “The victims in this case
had the courage to come forward and help prevent more innocent people from
falling prey to this fraud. My office will continue to investigate anyone
who seeks to exploit and defraud immigrants.”
As a
result of Cuomo’s lawsuit, the New York Supreme Court has ordered
Hernandez to pay full restitution to the 37 families who came forward and
showed that Hernandez defrauded them. Hernandez must also pay more than
$2.8 million dollars in penalties for engaging in the unauthorized
practice of law and misrepresenting to the public that she had a special
relationship with immigration officials and elected officials. Hernandez
is also permanently restricted from directly or indirectly engaging in the
business of immigration services.
The
lawsuit against Hernandez is the latest stage of Attorney General Cuomo’s
ongoing investigation into allegations that immigrants and their families
are being targeted for fraudulent and unauthorized immigration-related
services in New York. Over the past several months, the Attorney General
shut down four businesses for providing legal services to thousands of
immigrants without being licensed to do so. Those companies were required
to pay more than $100,000 in penalties and were permanently prohibited
from operating a business that provides immigration services. Attorney
General Cuomo has also sued five organizations for engaging in the
unauthorized practice of law and targeting immigrants, and has issued more
than 100 subpoenas to businesses and individuals allegedly engaged in
unauthorized immigration-related services.
Cesar A. Perales, President and General Counsel of Latino Justice PRLDEF,
said, “Attorney General Cuomo has stayed true to his promise to
investigate fraud and discrimination and hold scam artists accountable for
preying upon and taking advantage of immigrant communities. As a country
of immigrants, and as fellow New Yorkers committed to fairness and
justice, we should all applaud Attorney General Cuomo for enforcing the
law and protecting the disadvantaged. This court ruling is a tremendous
achievement.”
Angela Fernandez, Executive Director of the Northern Manhattan Coalition
for Immigrant Rights, said, “We were very pleased to see Attorney General
Cuomo file this important case and are truly gratified to see the results
of his efforts. The enforcement of New York’s laws is critical to
protecting immigrant communities from fraud. Scam artists are targeting
immigrant communities with false and misleading promises to adjust their
immigration status, and Attorney General Cuomo’s efforts are having a
meaningful impact in curtailing this type of fraud.”
New
Yorkers who believe they have been a victim of immigration assistance
fraud are urged to contact the Attorney General’s Immigration Services
Fraud Unit Hotline at (866) 390-2992 or visit www.ag.ny.gov
The
case is being handled by Assistant Deputy Counselor Elizabeth De León and
Assistant Attorney General Vilda Vera Mayuga, with the assistance of Nydia
Shahjahan and Investigator David McManus, under the supervision of Civil
Rights Bureau Chief Alphonso B. David and Counsel for Civil Rights Spencer
Freedman.
Tribune’s Park, Recreation News
Long Island State Parks
Phone Numbers
General Information: (518) 474-0456
Long Island State Parks: (631)
669-1000
Camping Reservations: (800)
456-CAMP
By Publisher Frank P.
Naudus
Family Adventures Teem At
N.Y. Parks
The
Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center at Jones Beach will host a number of late
winter and early spring programs beginning with Star Gazing Nights Friday,
March 12 from 7:00 to
8:30 p.m. Explore the stars and constellations
using park telescopes and binoculars or yours. . . Take a Spring Equinox
Walk Saturday, March 20 from
1:30
to
3:00 p.m. Take a stroll to the water’s edge to
observe the first day of spring. It is recommended you bring along your
camera. There will be more photo ops than you can imagine. . . Take an
Adult Winter Seal Walk Sunday, March 14 from
1:30
to
3:00 p.m. Meet at the
Nature
Center for a 90 minute program on seals. Caravan to the fishing piers for
exceptional viewing.
Reservations are required for all programs and may be made
by calling 679-7254.
A
River Runs. . .
Nissequogue
River State Park offers a multitude of programs for the balance of winter
and directly into spring. A parking fee of $6.00 must be paid during the
fee collection season. Advanced reservations are required and may be made
two weeks prior to the event by calling (631) 581-1072. There will be a
fee of $4.00 per adult and $3.00 per child. Children under the age of
three will be admitted at no charge.
For children five years of age and older, the Fun for Kids
program continues with Nature Crafts Saturday, March 13 from
2:00 to
3:30
p.m. Learn about nature as you create unique crafts. The park supplies
everything you will need to create beautiful crafts . . . It will be Birds
from Pond to Sound Saturday, March 13 from
10:00 a.m.
to
noon. An introductory talk followed by outdoor
observations. Binoculars will be provided.
Caumsett
State Historic Park in Lloyd’s Neck,
Huntington
hosts park programs for the balance of the winter and directly into
spring. An adult must accompany children under the age of 14, a $4.00 fee
for adults and $3.00 for children will be in effect and a $6.00 parking
fee must be paid during the fee collection season. Advance reservations
are required and families may register by calling (631) 423-1770 from 8:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Should you be unable to keep your reservation, promptly
call and cancel so others may have an opportunity to attend. If others are
waiting, your place may be given to them if you have not arrived when the
program starts. Outdoor programs take place rain or shine. You are advised
to dress appropriately.
Caumsett’s Adult Ed-Ventures continue Sunday, March
7 from 10:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with An Introduction to Wilderness
Survival. In this hands-on program, discover how to find food, start a
fire and build a shelter.
Wines for Woof’s Helping Raise Animal Rescue $$$
A fundraiser to benefit Little Shelter Animal Rescue and
Adoption Center was held Sunday providing an opportunity for pet lovers
throughout the metropolitan area to enjoy a leisurely Sunday afternoon,
appreciate a sampling of Chardonnay, Zinfandel or Merlot and help animals
find a new permanent home.
Residents attending the ‘Wines for Woofs’ program met at the
Northport Tasting Room and Wine Cellar and during a four hour span were
able to enjoy an excellent array of wines while contributing to Little
Shelter’s primary mission of saving, sheltering and finding loving homes
for cats, dogs, kittens and puppies.
Located at
33
Warner Road in Huntington, Little Shelter benefited from generous
fundraiser attendees. Proceeds garnered will greatly help and support the
many programs Little Shelter provides for the singular purpose of helping
animals find new, caring and loving homes. Those in attendance, in
addition to sipping fine wines, enjoyed entertainment provided by local
musicians, participated in exciting raffles and appreciated tasty hors
d’oeuvres.
For
details on future Little Shelter events, call (631) 368-8770, extension
205.
VET’S CORNER
Remembering
Korea
Some call it ‘The Forgotten War.’ Others choose not to
remember the service thousands of Army troops performed 12,000 miles away
following World War II and before
Vietnam was brought into
America’s
living rooms beginning in the sixties.
This is the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Korean War which is
being remembered through the Korean War 2010 – 2014 Revisit Korea Tour
Program. For the past 35 years, the
Republic of Korea has invited America’s Korean War vets and their families
to return to Korea on a subsidized visit thanking GIs for their sacrifices
which saved their country from a Communist future.
Thousands of veterans from all Allied nations who participated in the
Korean War have made the trip and have reportedly enjoyed this sojourn to
the ‘Land of the Morning Calm.’ The Korean government pays for hotel
rooms, meals and in-country tours. To register, call 800-722-9501 or
703-590-1295.
Nassau County Supreme Court Hosts Mock Trial Tournament
The 2010 Mock Trial Tournament was recently
kicked off on February 9th Tournament co-chairs Marilyn Genoa, Esq. and
Jeffrey Goodstein, Esq. welcomed more than 500 students, teachers, and
parents to the Nassau County Supreme Court. The Nassau County Mock Trial
Tournament is a joint initiative sponsored by the Nassau County Bar
Association, the New York State Bar Association and is hosted by the
Nassau County Court System.
It is coordinated by Caryle Katz, Administrator
of the Nassau County Bar Association’s Community Relations and Public
Education Office and has grown to be the largest single-county tournament
in New York State with more than 40 Nassau County schools and nearly 500
high school students participating in the competition. Nassau County
justices, judges and attorneys preside over individual trials and provide
students with an opportunity to further their understanding of both the
content and processes of our legal system. The winning team from Nassau
County goes on to compete for the Long Island championship and the right
to represent the region in the state championship competition. Jeffrey
Goodstein, Principal Law Clerk to the Hon. Anthony Marano, Administrative
Judge of Nassau County, also coordinates the Nassau Courts Summer Intern
Program. With the assistance of Suzanne Boyce, the intern program provides
law students with an opportunity to gain practical skills needed to work
in a professional legal setting, introduces students to the ethics and
responsibilities required in practicing law and enables individuals to
apply their education in the law, while under the direct supervision of
judges and experienced staff.
One Celebration Well Worth The Wait
Hundreds of officials and members of the East Rockaway Republican
Committee gathered Sunday morning for one gigantic, well-earned breakfast
marking their astounding string of victories in November. Held at the Elks
Lodge in Lynbrook, families attended for what some believed was the most
delicious, well-planned breakfast they had experienced and enjoyed in
recent memory.
Public representatives attending included Executive
Leader Anthony J. Santino, Supervisor Kate Murray, a number of judges,
assemblymen and a healthy representation of Town of Hempstead officials.
From tiny tots to seniors, friends, neighbors and party faithful as
depicted by accompanying photographs, everyone in attendance seemed in
good spirits and very appreciative from the many volunteers who helped
prepare a simply exquisite meal in a room(s) brimming with enthusiasm,
pride and significant accomplishment.
Around Long Island With The Tribune
Questions Answered
If
you’re like many people and always wanted to ask a variety of questions
about insurance from an unbiased individual(s) you’ll have an opportunity
Thursday, March 18,
7:00 p.m. in the sixth floor auditorium of
Long Beach City Hall, 1
West Chester Street. Hosted by Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford,
members of the New York State Insurance Department will answer any of your
questions regarding the often complex and technical variations of
insurance including important areas of concerns for life, health,
automobile and homeowners insurance.
Residents can contact either Denise Ford (571-6204) or Assemblyman Harvey
Weisenberg (431-0500) for further information.
Sands of Time
Atlantic
Beach
residents could be in for quite a surprise this summer if changes aren’t
made in the speed dredging projects are conducted. Federal funding which
was to have been applied to the dredging of East Rockaway Inlet Channel
has not surfaced holding up some beaches receiving desperately-needed sand
to replenish storm ravished beaches.
Although some believe dredging of the inlet could begin as early as mid to
late March, those plans could be upset if money from Washington doesn’t
arrive shortly. As much as $500,000 remains in beach erosion funding
requested by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 2010.
Energy Savers
There is no doubt everyone goes out of their way to save energy regardless
how seemingly insignificant it may be. Many of the more common ways to
keep dollars in your pocket and out of the hands of utilities is to change
filters on any electronic unit which may clog the passage of heat (either
oil of natural gas) without you realizing it is taking place.
Ceiling fans are another way to insure maximum use out of each energy
dollar spent. Warm air circulating is far more efficient than non-moving
air as air moves down when fan blades are reversed.
Other cost saving measures include lowering water
heater temperature to 120 degrees and wrapping the water heater with an
insulation blanket making certain no part of the insulation is near an
open flame.
CRIME REPORT
By Frank P. Naudus,
Publisher
Cracking Down On Crime
[All defendants are
presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.]
Fourth Precinct Arrests
• A 32
year old
Poughkeepsie,
NY female surrendered at Fourth Precinct Headquarters in Hewlett and was
charged with first degree identity theft.
• A 47
year old
Brooklyn male was arrested at Rockaway Turnpike
and
Bay Boulevard
in North Lawrence on a 2003 warrant issued for aggravated unlicensed
operation of a motor vehicle.
• A 40
year old Inwood female was arrested at Lawrence Avenue and Mill Street in
Inwood and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor
vehicle. The defendant had been driving a 1999 American vehicle with a
suspended license and was talking on her cell phone without a hands-free
phone holder.
• A 29
year old male was arrested on Bayview Avenue in Inwood for third degree
aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle.
Assault
• A
high school student approached a fellow student, punched her on the head,
face and chest several times and fled the scene on Skillman Avenue in
Oceanside.
Miscellaneous
• The
complainant noticed that the glass had been shattered on her storm door on
Trafalgar Boulevard in
North
Long Beach and the door handle had also been damaged. The complainant also
notice tire racks in the snow directly in front of her door.
Criminal Mischief
• The
complainant reported that an unknown person broke the driver’s side window
of a 1990 American automobile on Henrietta Place in Hewlett.
• The
complainant reported two tires on her 2009 European SUV had been damaged
on
Washington Avenue
in Lawrence.
• A
person broke a window at a home on Murdock Road in East Rockaway.
Forgery
• Two
suspects presented false prescriptions for a drug at a chain pharmacy
located on
Long Beach Road
in Oceanside.
Larcenies
•
Victims reported that an unknown took assorted jewelry, an I-pod and
credit cards from their home located on Bermuda Street in Atlantic Beach.
• When
the victim went into her apartment located on Peninsula Boulevard in Hewlett she noticed $1,000 cash was
missing from her kitchen table. Victim approached the landlord and real
estate agent and asked if they had shown the apartment. Landlord stated
that they did show the apartment to a couple known to her.
• An
unknown suspect removed a gym bag and assorted clothing items from the
complainant’s 2008 European car parked on a driveway on Briarwood Lane in
Lawrence.
• An unknown suspect removed
the license plates from the complainant’s 2002 Japanese vehicle on Roxbury
Avenue in Oceanside.
Long Beach Arrests
• A 25
year old
Long Beach
male was arrested at
East Walnut Street
and Edwards Boulevard and charged with DWI.
• A 49
year old
Plainview
male was arrested along the unit block of
East Park Avenue
and charged with third degree criminal possession of a weapon. The
defendant was also charged with robbery.
• A 21
year old
West Hempstead male was arrested on
Virginia Avenue and Ocean Beach Park and charged with fifth degree
criminal possession of marijuana and for the unlawful possession of
marijuana.
• A 20 year old North Baldwin
male was arrested on the 400 block of Long Beach Boulevard and charged
with aggravated unlicensed (suspended license) operation of a motor
vehicle and for DWI.


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