Thursday
Sep212017

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP - Legislators Vote Themselves A Pay Freeze

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP

By Karl Grossman

The members of the Suffolk Legislature had a difficult conversation this month on suspending automatic pay increases for four years—a freeze for all 18 of them as well as other top county officials. The measure, authored by Legislator Al Krupski of Cutchogue and co-sponsored by William J. Lindsay III of Oakdale, passed 16-2 after some strong and also some poignant remarks.

It has now gone to County Executive Steve Bellone whose pay would also be impacted. He has scheduled a public hearing starting at 10 a.m. next Thursday, September 28, in Media Room 182 at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge. 

Since 1986 Suffolk legislators and other high county officials have gotten automatic yearly salary increases of four percent or the increase in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower.

Mr. Krupski, who has declined a cost-of living raise three out of the four years he has been a legislator, in opening the discussion September 6 on the measure—titled “A Local Law to Freeze Salaries of County Elected Officials”—said: “A lot of people work in the private sector and don’t receive automatic increases.” Moreover, considering the “current fiscal condition” of county government—there is a $163 million budget deficit presently—“a four-year-freeze would show that…we recognize the current situation.”

Legislator Kevin McCaffrey of Lindenhurst said “I believe that our fiscal crisis needs to be fixed by a global solution, meaning everybody’s got to be involved in it. It’s got to be the unions, it’s got to be the exempts, it’s got to be the electeds….But I plan on supporting this because I think we need to show the way and we need to take the first step.”

However, Legislator Tom Barraga of West Islip declared: “I certainly understand the symbolism associated with this particular bill, but I will adamantly oppose it.” A long-time member of the State Assembly before becoming a legislator (and serving now for the maximum of 12 years and being term-limited from running for re-election this year), he said “the State Legislature” is a “classic example” of the error of enacting a pay freeze. 

For two decades, he said, there has been a freeze on salaries of members of the Assembly and Senate “and they have been losing for a number of years now, excellent representatives, because they can no longer afford to stay up there” in Albany. “There are very good people up there, all of them deserve raises, but every time they do it, there’s always a group that says, ‘Oh, no, you’re making too much’….The papers are against it, the media is against it.” Members of the Assembly receive $79,500 a year. “But to live in Nassau and Suffolk and being a full-time legislator on $79,500 a year, you can’t do it.”

“So bottom line,” he went on, “if you feel as an individual member that you have to do something along these lines and the salary [of Suffolk legislators] is $100,000, take 95 [$95,000], you’ve made your point. But don’t lay this on 18 members, it’s just the wrong way to go.”

Legislator Rob Trotta of Fort Salonga said “to put this in perspective.” under current contracts the Suffolk County “PBA got and all the [county] police unions got a 3.5% raise every year for eight years at a cost of $400 million.” Mr. Trotta, a retired Suffolk Police detective who has been highly critical of those contracts, said “my point is we are already setting the example that we are taking either the cost of living or below and they’re getting three times that. So I personally think this is nothing more than an election year ploy…It’s ridiculous, absurd…I don’t need the money, I can live without it, but I feel for the other legislators here who are supporting families on it.”

Mr. Krupski responded to Mr. Trotta saying “it’s a small step in the right direction…If you don’t start somewhere, though, you’ll never…get to reducing our budget…It’s a good place to start with ourselves.”

Legislator Rob Colarco of Patchogue said: “I do this as a full-time job. I don’t have another job….I have three little ones…I am fortunate enough to be a county legislator in a county where I have a salary that earns enough that I can do this as a full-time job. And, certainly, my wife has to work, too, but I think that’s the story for most people on Long Island.”

Legislator Sarah Anker of Mount Sinai said that ‘being a single mom with three kids…it’s not easy. But the amount of money we make as a legislator is—it’s substantial. It’s better than most legislative salaries probably in the country.”

Robert Lipp, director of the legislature’s Budget Review Office, reported at the meeting fhat there would be, based on 1.09% automatic pay increases over the past four years, an annual savings of $25,789 with the proposed freeze.

Wednesday
Sep202017

Suffolk County 2017-18 Archery Hunting Season Info 

The Suffolk County Department of Parks offers deer hunting access to Suffolk residents during the 2017-18 NYSDEC Long Island Archery Hunting Season. The Department of Parks has additional requirements beyond current NYSDEC law. Please review all information closely and if you have any questions please check with any of the parks listed below.

The season runs from Sunday Oct. 1 to Wednesday Jan. 31, 2018

REQUIREMENTS:
Program is for SUFFOLK COUNTY RESIDENTS ONLY.
Hunters must possess and carry afield the following:
1) Valid New York State Big Game License and tag
2) Valid Suffolk County Parks Green Key Card
3) Valid Suffolk County Parks Archery permit
FEES: Resident Green Key Card (18 & Up) $30.00
Res. Sr./Junior/Handicap/Volunteer/Aux. Pol./Gr. Key Card $15.00
Res. Disabled Veteran Green Key Card FREE
Archery Permit – Resident/Sr./Handicap/Volunteer/Aux. Pol./Veteran $38.00
Archery Permit – Resident Disabled Veteran (with Green Key) FREE
LOCATIONS TO PURCHASE PERMIT OR OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
PARK OFFICES: (Call Park prior to your arrival to insure staff availability.)
Administration Office, West Sayville Golf Course 854-4949 (8:30 AM-4:30 PM, Mon – Fri)
Cathedral Pines County Park, Yaphank 852-5502 (8:00 AM-4:00 PM, Mon – Sun)
Sears Bellows County Park, Hampton Bays 852-8290 (8:00 AM-4:00 PM, Wed – Sun)
Cedar Point County Park, East Hampton 852-7620 (8:00 AM-4:00 PM, Wed – Sun)
Indian Island County Park, Riverhead 852-3232 (8:00 AM-4:00 PM, Wed – Sun)

RULES AND REGULATIONS: All NYSDEC Regulations Apply. In addition, Suffolk County Parks Archery Hunters must comply with the following:
1. Hunters must park in designated parking areas only.
2. No overnight parking.
3. Parking permits must be displayed on the vehicle dashboard and be fully visible. One permit is issued per hunter. If two (2) hunters utilize one vehicle, both parking permits must be displayed in vehicle and the parking area is then considered full.
4. For the safety of all, hunters must wear at least a 6” X 6” Blaze Orange Patch on their outside garment plainly visible. The patch must be displayed on the upper body (above waist). All persons participating in the Youth Mentoring Program must wear Hunter Orange (shirt, jacket or hat).
5. SHARE THE WOODS: Hikers are permitted in these areas throughout the archery season.
6. Temporary tree stands are permitted, but must be removed by the conclusion of hunting season. Be advised that your tree stand may be subject to use by others if left in place. Parks is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen property.
7. Attention: In addition to NYSDEC reporting requirements, all successful archery hunters must also report success to the nearest park office (Cathedral Pines, Sears-Bellows, Cedar Point, or Indian Island). If Parks is to continue offering Archery Hunting opportunities we need to know success ratio, area productivity, etc. Your cooperation will help ensure the continuation of the program. If the nearest Suffolk County Parks office is closed or unmanned, call the Administration Office Monday- Friday 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m. at (631) 854-4949.
8. Please respect private property postings. When hunting in unfamiliar areas, check with local park personnel for boundaries of parkland.
9. Failure to comply with any of the above may result in the forfeiture of all hunting privileges.
SEASON DATES:
SUNDAY, OCT. 1, 2017 TO WEDNESDAY, JAN. 31, 2018
1. Arshamomaque Preserve & County Park – Greenport, Southold *
2. Beagle Club County Park – Calverton, Riverhead
3. Buckskill County Park – Wainscott, East Hampton **
4. Corey Creek Park – Southold, Southold *
5. Dwarf Pine Plains County Park – Westhampton Beach, Southampton
6. Edward V. Ecker, Sr. County Park – Montauk, East Hampton
7. East Moriches County Park – East Moriches, Brookhaven
8. Flanders County Park – Flanders, Southampton
9. Gorden Heights County Park – Gordon Heights, Brookhaven
10. Hog Creek Woodland – Springs, East Hampton **
11. Jacob’s Farm – Springs, East Hampton **
12. Laurel Lake County Park (Aldrich Lane) – Laurel, Southold
13. Laurel Lake County Park (Sound Avenue) – Mattituck, Southold
14. Laurel Valley County Park, – Noyac, Southampton
15. Long Springs County Park – North Sea, Southampton
16. Manorville Hills County Park – Manorville, Brookhaven
17. Manorville Prairie County Park – Manorville, Brookhaven
18. Middle Island County Park – Middle Island, Brookhaven
19. Miller Place Yaphank Road County Park – Miller Place, Brookhaven
20. North Fork County Park – Northville, Riverhead
21. North Neck County Park – Montauk, East Hampton
22. Northwest Creek County Park – Northwest Harbor, East Hampton **
23. Northwest Harbor County Park – Northwest Harbor, East Hampton
24. Peconic Headwaters County Park – Ridge, Brookhaven
25. Pine Meadow County Park – Eastport, Southampton
26. Rock Hill County Park – Manorville, Brookhaven
27. Ruth Oliva Preserve at Dam Pond – East Marion, Southold *
28. Saw Mill Creek County Park – Riverhead, Riverhead
29. Saw Mill Creek Headwaters County Park – Riverhead, Riverhead
30. Seatuck Creek County Park – Eastport, Southampton
31. Six Pole Woodland – Wainscott, East Hampton **
32. Sound View Dunes – Peconic, Southold *
33. South Manorville County Park – South Manorville, Brookhaven
34. Stony Hill Woods County Park – Amagansett, East Hampton
35. Suffolk Hills County Park (North and South) – Northampton, Brookhaven/Southampton
36. Three Mile Harbor (Boys & Girls Harbor) – Northwest Harbor, East Hampton **
37. Warbler Woods County Park – Yaphank, Brookhaven
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2017 TO WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018
38. Cedar Point County Park – East Hampton
39. Inlet Pond County Park – Greenport, Southold
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2017 TO SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2017
40. Hubbard County Park – Flanders/Hampton Bays, Southampton
* NOTE: These properties are co-owned with the Town of Southold. Town residents may also hunt these parks with a town permit. Hunters must shoot within designated zones. (In addition to NYS DEC and County reporting requirements, please report success to Southold Town at (631) 765-1283.)
** NOTE: These properties are co-owned with the Town of East Hampton. Town residents may also hunt these parks with a town permit.
Contact the New York State D.E.C. Check Station at 924-3156 for information on hunting Suffolk County Parklands managed under the New York State Cooperative Agreement Program.

 

Tuesday
Sep192017

L I Insurance Broker Sentenced For Fraud And Grand Larceny

Former insurance broker sentenced for fraud, grand larceny and other crimes

Kimberly GrazianoA 44 year old former insurance broker who pleaded guilty to charges of grand larceny, scheme to defraud, and other crimes was sentenced to three to nine years in prison today, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said. 

Kimberly Graziano of Middle Island is also legally responsible to pay a total of $1.8 million in restitution to her victims.  Graziano owned and operated K.A.G. Insurance Brokerage, Inc. with offices at 3760 Expressway Drive South in Islandia. 

The investigation found Graziano and K.A.G. Insurance Brokerage, Inc. engaged in several distinct schemes to defraud a financing company, her clients, and several insurance carriers including National General Insurance, Progressive Insurance Company, MetLife, Tudor, AIG and Golden Insurance Company. 

“Our investigation found evidence that Ms. Graziano falsified contracts by inducing a financing company, Alliance Premium Funding Corp. of Floral Park, to financially back policies that purported to be for her agency’s corporate customers.  The investigation found the defendant never actually purchased insurance coverage for her clients,” DA Spota said.   “Consequently, Graziano and her firm were indicted in March of last year for the theft of more than $1 million in falsely financed insurance coverage.”   

The investigation by the Suffolk District Attorney’s Labor, Insurance Crimes and Revenue Bureau, the state Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Unit, the state Insurance Fund, the state Worker’s Compensation Inspector General’s office, the Department of Motor Vehicles and National Insurance Crime Bureau investigators found evidence of nearly 30 forged financing contracts totaling in excess of $1,000,000 of stolen funds from Alliance Premium Funding.  

New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Maria T. Vullo said, “This broker violated the trust of the companies she defrauded and also the good faith of her clients, who believed she was providing insurance coverage for their vehicles. DFS is pleased to have worked with District Attorney Spota and other dedicated law enforcement agencies in investigating this scheme and taking action to hold this unscrupulous broker accountable for her crimes.”

In a related scheme, Ms. Graziano collected premium payments and falsified insurance cards and false Certificates of Liability Insurance coverage to convince her unsuspecting customers that they had insurance coverage in place, when in fact, they did not have any insurance.

“Her schemes began to unravel when her clients’ vehicle registrations were suspended by DMV for lapses in insurance coverage, and claims made on commercial insurance policies were being denied by the insurance carriers for lack of a policy.  She left a real mess in her wake,” said Spota.

In 2015, the license for the firm K.A.G. to operate as an insurance broker expired and no renewal application was filed.  “Despite this fact, Ms. Graziano and K.A.G. continued to operate and extend several illegal schemes that ultimately victimized several dozen firms,” said D.A. Spota. Cement truck fleet operators, towing companies, and snow removal businesses were among the victims scammed by Graziano.  Many of the defendant’s commercial clients lost business and had to deal with DMV fines as well as tens of thousands of dollars in fines assessed for operating without valid workers compensation coverage.  

“Our investigators with the assistance of our state investigate partners and the investigative units of the affected insurance carriers were able to assist those victimized companies who were cheated and consequently had their financial viability compromised,” District Attorney Spota explained.

Kevin Gallagher, the Northeast Regional Director of the National Insurance Crime Bureau said, “The National Insurance Crime Bureau would like to applaud the staff of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for their continued efforts in addressing insurance fraud in Suffolk County. The cost of insurance fraud is shared by all consumers and this investigation sends a strong message to others who may be contemplating engaging in insurance fraud. We look forward to our continued partnership in combatting insurance fraud for all New Yorkers.”

Graziano and K.A.G. Insurance Corp. pleaded guilty to nine charges of grand larceny, scheme to defraud in the first degree, three counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, insurance fraud in the fifth degree and a violation of state insurance law.  

 

Monday
Sep182017

St. James Fire District Explains Their Referendum

 

Residents of St. James have the opportunity to vote on the St. James Fire District’s proposed $12.25 million capital bond Tuesday, September 19 3-9 pm at the Jefferson Avenue Firehouse. 


Saturday
Sep162017

Daytime Lane Closures On Route 231 Begin On September 18

TRAVEL ADVISORY:

Lane closures expected on State Route 231 
in the Towns of Huntington and Babylon, Suffolk County

Motorists should expect lane closures for concrete pavement repairs of State Route 231/Deer Park Avenue in the Towns of Huntington and Babylon, Suffolk County.

Beginning on Monday, September 18, there will be short term lane closures on State Route 231 between the Southern State Parkway and Interstate 495/Long Island Expressway between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Portable variable message signs have been placed along the 4.5-mile route with additional information regarding the closures. 

This is part of a $6.4 million New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) project to maintain the roadway that is expected to be completed in the winter of 2018/2019. Work for this project is being completed during off peak hours.  

Motorists are reminded to drive carefully through the work zone, obey any speed restrictions that may be in place, and the instructions of the flag persons for their safety and the safety of the highway work crew.  As with most road and bridge projects, work may be cancelled, postponed, or prolonged due to inclement weather. 

For real-time travel information motorists should call 511 or visit www.511NY.org, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source.

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) appreciates the patience and cooperation of motorists and the local community while these bridge safety inspections are undertaken to help assure the continued protection of all motorists.