Altschuler's Campaign Releases Creighton Letter Calling For Congressional Ethics Review

August 24, 2012 

Office of Congressional Ethics, U.S. House of Representatives, P.O. Box 895, Washington, DC 20515-0895

Delivered via certified mail, Delivered via email to oce@house.gov

Dear Board Members & Staff:

My names is Robert J. Creighton and my contact information can be found at the end of this letter, as well as a sworn statement from me acknowledging that the False Statement Act applies to the information I am providing today.

By way of background, I am currently an elected Councilman in the Town of Smithtown, New York, the former Police Commissioner for the Suffolk County, New York Police Department, and former Chief Investigator for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

I am writing today to respectfully ask that you review very serious allegations of misconduct by United States Representative Timothy H. Bishop from New York’s 1st Congressional District in the wake of an investigative report that originally appeared in POLITICO  and subsequently in numerous other print and online publications. I have attached the story for your review.

The POLITICO story uses emails obtained and interviews conducted by investigative reporter John Bresnahan detailing how Representative Bishop and/or his campaign staff solicited a sizable campaign donation from a local resident named Mr. Eric Semler, in exchange for securing the expedited approval of permits for a private fireworks show that Mr. Semler was seeking to host at his private residence in Southampton, New York.

Based on the POLITICO story, here is a brief synopsis of the facts as described:

May 21, 2012

Southampton resident Eric Semler needed government permits to put on a private fireworks display for his son’s bar mitzvah on or about May 26, 2012. Mr. Semler contacted Congressman Tim Bishop and his office seeking help getting those permits expedited.  Representative Bishop agreed to intercede on his behalf.

May 23, 2012

Mr. Semler received an email form Representative Bishop’s campaign staff directly soliciting him for a contribution of up to $10,000 to Bishop’s reelection campaign.

May 24-26, 2012

The fireworks permits are approved and the private fireworks display is held at Mr. Semler’s residence in Southampton.

May 29, 2012

Mr. Semler sent an email to the employees of the Grucci Fireworks Company claiming that Representative Bishop “didn’t hesitate to solicit me in the heat of battle” and called the request for $10,000 in campaign contributions “really gross.”

June 26, 2012

The Bishop Campaign reports receiving a combined $5,000 from Mr. Semler and his wife.  It was the firs-ever contribution from Mr. Semler or his wife to Representative Bishop.

According to the POLITICO story, the House Ethics Manual states that “a solicitation for campaign or political contributions may not be linked with an official action taken or to be taken by a House Member or employee, and a Member may not accept any contribution that is linked with an action that the Member has taken or is being asked to take.”

This prohibition includes campaign contributions offered to a lawmaker by a supporter, especially when a request for official action is pending or has occurred, which was clearly the case in this instance.

The manual adds: “In a similar vein, a Member or employee may not accept any contribution that the donor links to any official action that the Member or employee has taken, or is being asked to take.”

Based on the documents obtained by POLITICO, it seems clear that Representative Bishop and/or his staff clearly violated House Ethics rules and may very well have violated criminal bribery and illegal gratuities statutes.

I trust that you will take this matter seriously, review all the facts in a timely manner, and open a full investigation into Representative Bishop as a result.  Thank you for your consideration.

The document is signed: Respectfully Robert J. Creighton

What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown - Culinary Staycation – Tasting the World in Your Backyard

What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown

 By Nancy Vallarella 

Culinary Staycation – Tasting the World in Your Backyard

Destination:  A little bit of Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Peru the Caribbean and Thailand too!

Perfecto Mundo’s Managerial StaffWhere can one experience all of this under one roof within the Town of Smithtown?  At Liz Keschl’s Perfecto Mundo Latin Fusion Bistro. It is here where you will find the perfect world of ingredients from foreign lands accenting your favorite and familiar dishes in a warm and welcoming surrounding.

For the past two years this hard to find establishment has delighted neighbors with its fine fare and accommodating menu.  I use the word neighbor instead of customer because that is how you are made to feel here; like a neighbor, in your good neighbor’s home.  In speaking with owner Liz Keschl, I found she mentions the word neighbor many times during our conversation. When asked how the menu concept was created, she replied, “There wasn’t anything like it in the neighborhood. We wanted to provide something unique.” And when discussing Perfecto Mundo’s ultra-accommodating menu, she replies, “We always look to meet the needs of our neighbors.”  So like a good neighbor, Perfecto Mundo is there with its 85% gluten free menu and a Healthy Choice Menu which accommodates the Weight Watchers’ clientele located next door! In addition Perfecto Mundo offers Daily Deals such as “Taco Tuesdays with 2fer Margaritas” and “Wild Wing Wednesday with Happy Hour All Night”.  

Liz Keschl’s insouciant female energy is a major contributing ingredient for the front of the house success of Chef Alex Cantuthis bistro. In the back of the house (kitchen) you will find many additional delightful ingredients.  Together with Chef Alex Cantu, Ms. Keschl (a chef and Culinary Institute of America graduate) designed the New Dinner Menu with items sure to please most every palate.   

For starters a familiar dish, ROASTED CORN-MAINE LOBSTER CHOWDER is flavored with jalapeño bacon and finished with white truffle oil and smoked paprika Corn-Maine Lobster Chowdercroutons.   The BLACK BEAN SOUP contains chorizo and lime-cumin crema.  SHRIMP ON A STICK is wrapped in smoky poblano bacon and glazed with a mixture of dark rum and brown sugar.  BLACK TIGER SHRIMP FLAT BREAD is served with pecan-cilantro and red pepper pesto and cotija cheese.  FLASH-FRIED ANCHO CHILE CALAMARI and DOS EQUIS BEER STEAMED P.E.I. MUSSELS with grilled chorizo and sofrito speak for themselves.  Getting the picture? – A familiar dish presented with a little Latin flare.  Kind of like Melanie Griffith on the arm of Antonio Banderas before he became big in the U.S.  But I digress.  Let us move on to the main course.

SOFRITO MARINATED OVEN ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST is presented with vegetable risotto, roasted red pepper, and baby arugula with cilantro oil.  GRILLED MARINATED ARGENTINIAN SKIRT STEAK sizzles with Latin fried rice, chimichurri sauce and topped with a sunny egg.  CORIANDER CRUSTED PORK TENDERLOIN is dished up with grilled linguica (sausage), roasted corn and jack cheese massa cake in spicy coconut broth with hot house tomato and sweet coconut salad.  OUR OWN SEAFOOD PAELLA features jumbo shrimp, P.E.I. mussels, clams, calamari, saffron risotto, chorizo, sweet peas, roasted corn and green onion. There is more; much more.  Click onto Perfecto Mundo in Smithtown Matters’ Restaurant and Food Guide to access their full menus.

Tres Leche CakeFor those of you who are dessert fans I will tell you this…I am not. I am usually too full and really not big on the sugar thing.  I find that most sweets I do try are entirely not calorie worthy.  There are however calorie worthy exceptions at Perfecto Mundo.  Usually there is chocolate involved but much to my surprise - Perfecto Mundo’s Coconut Crème Brule is worth an extra spin class as is their Tres Leche Cake.

Just go. You will not be disappointed.  Great food, great value, great staff. It may very well become your favorite neighborhood joint!

Perfecto Mundo is available for private parties Saturday and Sunday afternoons and will open on Monday nights for fundraisers, special events or meetings. Live music is part of a great dining experience every Friday and Saturday night.  Performers are announced on Perfecto Mundo’s website under EVENTS and also on their Facebook page which can be accessed through Smithtown Matters’ Restaurant and Food Guide for those of you who are not Facebook members.

Nesconset Cousins Climb Kilimanjaro For Breast Cancer Research

Local cousins conquer Kilimanjaro and meet fundraiser goals for Breast Cancer research

By Chad Kushins

Photos courtesy of Brian Maloney

1.) Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance – the peak that has been inspiring adventurers and writers for decades.Reaching the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro wasn’t just a personal best for Brian and Jason Maloney, but also a symbolic forge towards conquering an insidious disease.  But in July, after months of preparation and training, the local cousins did just that – scaling one of the most dangerous and historic peaks in the world in order to raise funding towards Breast Cancer research. 

After his both mother-in-law suffered from the disease and later beat it in 2008, Nesconset resident Jason Maloney, 36, made the decision to take part in the fundraiser climbs; that year Maloney scaled Washington’s Mount Rainier, which at 14,411 feet, is one of the highest peaks in the nation, and succeeded in raising $5,000 for the hospital.  For this summer’s feat, Maloney was joined by cousin Brian, 35, for the Kilimanjaro trek, with both men aiming to raise a combined $20,000 for the cause.  As Brian told Smithtown Matters, they were not only able to meet that figure, but also have an adventure of a lifetime.

“We got there a little bit earlier to prepare, but the trip itself took us a total of about 11 days,” said Brian, a health teacher in the Levittown School District.  “We left on July 18 and we started climbing on July 23.  We scaled back down on July 29, and it was a great challenge.

“It felt like a great accomplishment once it was over,” Maloney added, referring to both the physical endeavors he shared with his cousin and the successful bid to raise $10,000 apiece.  “We both reached our combined goals, which amounted to over $23,000 for breast cancer research … That was the main concern and it felt incredible to meet that number.  It was amazing.”

According to Maloney, the initial concept of climbing one of the most famous – and infamous – peaks in the entire world was a nerve-wracking idea, even though the challenge was for a great cause.  “We flew half-way around the world with a monetary goal in mind,” Maloney added, “and even with all the training and the right attitude, I was always nervous that we might not make it.  It was a strange place we had never been and a physical challenge at an extremely high altitude.  Luckily, we made it.” 

Once arriving in Africa, the Maloney cousins and the rest of their seven tour participants, began the climb after a few days of additional training and acclimation to the environment.  According to Maloney, the trek itself proved to be “more of a mental game,” as weather would dictate when and where the actual climb could take place – and for how long a period at a time.  Looking out for the health and fitness of their climbers, the guides from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center made sure everyone involved got enough rest during the week-long excursion. 

“We ate well and drank plenty,” said Maloney, “and every morning we would pack up and start off again.  Honestly, there wasn’t much downtime, or just sitting around the camp and relaxing.  Sometimes, it felt great just to sit a little while and take your boots off and read a book, but after hiking and stopping and hiking and stopping, it would be cold and dark up there after dinner.  We would just climb and go back to the tents – everyday.”

Although the adventure had its own ups and downs – including an unrelated incident in Cape Town, South Africa days after the climb, when Brian and his girlfriend were mugged of money and their Passports – Maloney claims that the positive feedback and the genuine outpouring of excitement and gratitude for their efforts have been tremendous.  “It was amazing,” Maloney added.  “After reaching the fundraising goals, people were really happy and enthusiastic about what everyone in the project had done – wanting to ask us everything about the trip, telling us that they were proud, and wanting pictures with us … We even left our information on the research centers’ website because donations have been continuing, and that’s the real goal.”

According to organizers, The Fred Hutchinson Center for Cancer research has been hosting and utilizing various incarnations of the “Climb to Fight Breast Cancer” for well over a decade, making the Maloney cousins’ endeavor part of its 15^th annual yearly event.  While Jason and Brian’s climb was a major event for this season, other related cancer research “peaks” have included Mount Adams and Mount Baker in Washington, Mount Elbrus in Russia, and Mount Hood in Oregon.  Each climb will have a limited number of team members – generally nine or 10 – as established by the guide services. Participants commit to fundraising minimums of $3,000 to $12,500, depending on the mountain. 

To make a donation or for further information on both Jason and Brian, visit The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s official “Climb to Fight Breast Cancer” website, www.fhcrc.org/climb.  

Forewarned Is Forearmed! Emergency Preparedness

By P. Biancaniello

“Being prepared, as most experts will tell you, is one of the most 
important things a person can do to survive and recover from a disaster. 
The information presented at these meetings will be instrumental in putting 
together a plan of action. I greatly appreciate the efforts of all the 
organizations involved for participating in this series and for ensuring 
the safety of our communities,” Senator Flanagan. 

Senator Flanagan is hosting Emergency Preparedness meetings click here for dates

Are you prepared for an emergency?  That is the question being asked by people at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Fire Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES).  There is a wealth of information available to the public free of charge to ensure that the public is prepared for emergencies.  Will people avail themselves of the information? Will you prepare for an emergency that hopefully never happens? 

Fred Kruger Ph.D. Speaking about Emergency Preparedness at Commack - Kings Park Rotary Club MeetingCommack resident Fred Kruger Ph.D., K2LDC, is prepared, and he advises that everyone think about what his or her needs might be in an emergency.  “People tend to think about the basic storm related emergency - loss of electricity for a couple of hours, or maybe a day or two. You need to think of the situation that may arise where you do not have access to your personal documents. Are you prepared? Do you have a list of your prescriptions in a safe place? Emergency contact numbers are very important, but so is having a planned meeting place or a person to call who can answer questions about your whereabouts.” These are some of the issues that Dr. Kruger encouraged people to think about when he addressed emergency preparedness with the Commack –Kings Park Rotary Club. Dr. Kruger’s message was simple,  “Yes, prepare the basics, have flashlights, water, a battery operated radio. By all means make sure you have food that is easily prepared and include a manual can opener in your emergency kit, but also be prepared for an event that is long term.  The deed to your house, wills, powers of attorney, living wills, insurance information, health records, health proxy(s), prescriptions, phone numbers and addresses are all basic items that you need to have in a safe but accessible place.”

No one likes to think that they are vulnerable in their own home but there have been instances when fires have completely destroyed homes and without documents homeowners are left searching for information before they can begin the rebuilding process. “Make sure you have important information available, it will make life easier should an emergency occur.” Said Dr. Kruger

Example of Wind up Radio/flashlightDuring last summer’s storm trees fell on homes and cars, wires fell on buildings, stores and restaurants were closed, and heavy rains created flooding situations.  Many people were without electricity for extended periods of time.  What did people miss the most?  Communication.  Left without access to television news and internet, radio became the “go to” source for information.  Many people in our area tuned their radios onto WBLI (106.1) where they were providing access to updates on LIPA’s power restoration.  “While it was frustrating to not have the amenities we are used to having, not being able to know what was happening around us made everything worse. Thank goodness for WBLI.  At least we knew we were not forgotten,” said Smithtown resident Jay B.    Knowing how and where to access information is important.  Battery operated radios are important, don’t forget to keep fresh batteries! There are radios and flash lights that work with a wind up mechanism.  

An additional piece of advice from Dr. Kruger was to make the call to LIPA if you lose power. “Don’t assume that someone else has made the call.  Outages are often addressed according to the number of people without service. The area with the most people experiencing an outage will see repair crews before the single customer. Make the call.”

Don’t wait for an emergency. The old saying “ an ounce of precaution is worth a pound of cure” is true for many situations and none more meaningful than emergency planning.

Doo Wop For Stroke Prevention

On Saturday, August 4th, Bob Zebrowski 

held his first Doo Wop/Classic Car Event for Stroke Awareness & Prevention at the Smithtown Historical Society Bob Zebrowskiproperty. With temperatures ranging into the 90’s that day, he had live entertainment by Doo Wop Group… “Back In Time” Charlie Molica, Bob Comanducci, Paul Punzone, Jerry Chinella, and Rich Lanna. John Corr performed 50’s and 60’s music, Andrew G. Ratway, performed as ELVIS, and Cyclone Universe Band, Dennis Salerno, Guy Koutouvidis, and Mark Zaharis performed vocals, guitar-bass guitar, and drums. There were 60 classic cars to view, 30 plus vendors, blood pressure testing, stroke awareness & prevention literature given out, lots of great food, and Cablevision covering the event. The Smithtown Community had a joyful and learning day and successfully supported the efforts of stroke awareness and prevention. Many thanks to all who participated.

By Judy Ratway