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.