280 Groups Across NYS Support Women's Equality Agenda

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that more than 280 groups across New York state have signed on to support Governor Cuomo’s Women’s Equality Agenda. All the groups will be published today on www.NY4Women.com. New Yorkers can go to www.NY4Women.com to sign up to support the 10-point plan. Organizations include labor groups, business associations, civil rights organizations, medical associations, and religious groups.

New York has long served as a model for equality and fairness on several issues including women’s rights. In his 2013 State of the State Address, the Governor announced plans to advance a 10-Point Women’s Equality Act that will break down barriers that perpetuate discrimination and inequality based on gender.

The Governor’s 10-Point proposal will:

• Achieve Pay Equity
• Stop Sexual Harassment in All Workplaces
• Allow for the Recovery of Attorneys’ Fees in Employment and Credit and Lending Cases
• Strengthen Human Trafficking Laws
• End Family Status Discrimination
• Stop Source-of-Income Discrimination
• Stop Housing Discrimination for Victims of Domestic Violence
• Stop Pregnancy Discrimination Once and For All
• Protect Victims of Domestic Violence by Strengthening Order-of-Protection Laws
• Protect a Woman’s Freedom of Choice

Sally Garito Celebrates 100th Birthday

Sayville, NY 11782 – On December 2, 21012, Sally Garito, a resident at Good Samaritan Nursing Home celebrated her 100^th birthday.  Sally was born in New York and was a homemaker where she raised 2 children Valerie and Greg. Sally has been a resident at Good Samaritan Nursing Home since July 2012 where she is an avid reader and loves crocheting and knitting.  Sally is an animal lover who has fallen in love with Maureen, the pet therapy dog at Good Samaritan Nursing Home who visits weekly. To celebrate this special day, a birthday celebration was held at Good Samaritan Nursing Home with her family, staff and friends. When asked what advice Sally has for the younger generations, she replied, “Live a clean life: be good to yourself and the people around you.  Be grateful for the things in your life like a loving family and beautiful friends. We must all be thankful for what we have.” Sally is blessed today to share her life with her two children, five grandchildren and five great-children and Good Samaritan Nursing Home is blessed to share it with her.

Saddened But Not Defeated Larry Flynn Talks Maritime Museum

Larry FlynnKings Park resident Larry Flynn was never happy with New York State’s decision to demolish the 100 year-old boathouse at the Nissequogue River State Park (NRSP).  “The boathouse is part of Kings Park’s history. It is a part of the history of the people who grew up in the town. It was in good condition and withstood hurricanes even the recent storm Sandy. It is a shame to see a building like that torn down.” Said Larry.

A little resigned and quite a bit saddened by the January 15^th demolition, Larry Flynn sent off a letter to Commissioner of NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Properties, Rose Harvey. In the letter he requested the construction of a new boathouse to house a Kings Park Maritime Museum.

Historic BoathouseWhat’s unique about his idea is his willingness to do the difficult job of raising the money to pay for the Museum.  “It can be done. We have people in Kings Park who want to preserve the history of our town. We’ll get private funding, hold fundraisers and apply for grants. We can do it.”

What’s holding him back? New York State’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Properties has yet to give Flynn the okay to move forward.  

On January 15, 2013 Larry Flynn sent the following letter to Commissioner Rose Harvey:   

Dear Rose: Today, on the grounds of the Nissequogue River State Park, formerly the Kings Park Psychiatric Center, the Historical Boathouse in the Kings Park Basin was demolished. It had served the Kings Park community for over 100 years and even withstood the recent destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy.

With the boathouse now gone, this would be the perfect opportunity to fund and construct a new boathouse to serve as a maritime museum for the North Shore. The money to fund the project would come from donations and grants.

Your comments on this endeavor would be greatly appreciated. Attached please find images of the before and after of the existing building.

Lawrence G. Flynn, Kings Park Resident

Currently the State is busy with the demolition of buidings at the Park. LI Regional Director of State Parks, Brian Foley, has stated that the current focus is on phase I of the demolition - dangerous buildings. A second phase of demolition is projected and a master plan for the park will be created at some point in the future. Currently, The Nissequogue River State Park Foundation, which was created to protect and preserve the park, is working to have NYS develop a master plan for the park. On December 11, 2012 the Foundation sent a letter to Governor Cuomo requesting the creation of a master plan. NRSP Foundation encourages Governor Cuomo to establish the park’s master plan.

It remains to be seen if a boathouse and/or maritime museum will be a part of the Nissequogue River State Park’s master plan, but as most people have learned, Kings Park residents seldom give up on what they believe to be a good thing for their community.

As of January 22, 2013 Larry had not received a response to his proposal. 

Meet Kings Park's Gymnastic Champion - 9-year-old Katie Finnegan

Kings Park’s newest champion is 9-year-old Katie Finnegan. For the second consecutive year Katie has taken first place in the NYS USAG Gymnastics Championship. This year the event was held in Elmira, NY, where she competed with gymnasts in the 8-10 year-old age group.  What does it take to be a gymnastic champion? For Katie it means five years of practice 18-20 hours a week and good coaching. According to Katie’s mom, Kim, coaching is a key to success “Katie trains at Gold Medal Gymnastics in Huntington which has consistently won State, Regional and National titles. Even though the school has opened a new facility in Smithtown Katie will continue her training in Huntington*.”

Katie won her NYS USG Level 6 All Round Championship by finishing first in floor exercises, second in balance beam and bars and fourth in vault.

(*Amended to reflect Huntington not Northport as originally published)

Smithtown's Joseph DeMarco - Making a Difference

Smithtown’s Joseph DeMarco - Making a Difference

Joseph DeMarcoAccording to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Almost 1.3 million women in the U.S. each year are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner.  And, domestic violence has a tragic and lasting impact on the children who witness violence between one’s parents or caretakers as it is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.

It is gratifying to know that there are people in our community like Joseph DeMarco who are using their skills to help victims of domestic violence. Congratulations to Attorney Joseph DeMarco, Nassau County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Month For January 2013.

NCBA Names Joseph DeMarco Pro Bono Attorney of the Month For January 2013 By: Valerie Zurblis Organization: Nassau County Bar Association

Mineola, Long Island, NY – For his unwavering dedication, support and pro bono legal assistance to help battered and abused women through the Pro Bono Project of the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Joseph A. DeMarco of Smithtown has been named Pro Bono Attorney for the month of January, it was announced today by Marian Rice, president of the Nassau County Bar Association, the largest suburban bar in the country.

Joe DeMarco donates his time and legal talents to those in need in many ways. He is an active member of at the Nassau County Bar Association, serving on the Matrimonial Law Committee. He provides pro bono legal services through the Volunteer Lawyers Project, which helps Nassau’s neediest residents, and has mentored at-risk students at the Alberta Gray Schultz Middle School in Hempstead through NCBA’s Student Mentoring program… He has also assisted with the administration of Nassau County PEACE (Parent Education And Custody Effectiveness), a program that helps divorcing parents make responsible decisions that recognize their children’s need for continuing, good relationships with them.  He has also served as a member of the Lions Club.

As a partner at the law firm of Schlissel Ostrow Karabatos, PLLC in Garden City, DeMarco practices exclusively in matrimonial and family law, focusing on matters involving complex equitable distribution, support, child custody issues and appellate work. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Tulane Law School in 2001 and was selected by Super Lawyers as a 2011 and 2012 New York Rising Star.

Making a difference is Joseph DeMarco a 1994 graduate of Smithtown High School. After graduation Joseph attended  Wake Forest University graduating in 1998. Joseph went on to Tulane Law School where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 2001. He currently resides in Smithtown with his wife, Alida and 2 children, Antonio and Juliet.