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WE’RE GAINING MOMENTUM – AND HAYWORTH’S FEELING THE HEAT |
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SENATOR BALL URGES ACTION ON STATE VETERANS’ CEMETERY
Tens of thousands of veterans are simply underserved at this point and legislation would change that.
BREWSTER, NY – (2/23/2012) – Senator Greg Ball (R, C – Patterson), Chairman of the Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, was joined by local Veterans on Friday as he continued to urge his fellow legislators to pass the Veterans’ Cemetery Bill (S5381A/A1386A), which would create a State Veterans Cemetery in New York.
To date, the VA program has helped establish, expand and improve 79 veterans cemeteries in 38 states and territories, provided nearly 28,000 burials in 2010 alone. The VA has awarded grants totaling more than $438 million. New York has never participated in this federally-sponsored program, leaving thousands of New York State veterans without access to this earned benefit.
“I am committed to extending the honor of a burial to the men and women who bravely served this country yet are being denied access to this earned benefit,” said Senator Ball who sponsored and passed the legislation in the New York State Senate. “Tens of thousands of veterans are simply underserved at this point and this legislation would change that.”
Constantino Procopis, the Commander of American Legion Post 136 in Mount Kisco, said the lack of proper burial grounds within 75-mile radii makes it a struggle for families like his to visit their loved ones.
“My father-in-law is buried in Calverton and it’s a trek, it’s 100 miles from here to there and back,” Procopis said. “Greg Ball is right on the money. This is a great thing he’s trying to put together and he will be successful.”
The Adjutant of American Legion Post 135, Ferdinand Vetare, said it is also important for the Federal and State government to show concern for those who “served to protect our liberty and pursuit of happiness.”
“The dignity of a proper burial is very important for everyone and, from my point of view, especially for a man or woman who has served this county and done it right,” said Vetare. “That is something that I think every Veteran deserves.”
The concept of creating a New York State Veterans’ Cemetery has been a top priority of the New York State Veterans of Foreign Wars for several years, said NYS VFW Legislative Director James McNally. However, he said Senator Ball was the first legislator to take the initiative, draft legislation and move it forward in Albany.
“We believe that New York needs a state Veterans’ cemetery,” McNally said. “I’ve visited other state Veterans’ cemeteries and it’s a shame that New York doesn’t have one. This bill would work towards recognizing and servicing our Veterans that badly need it.”
In order for New York State to participate in the VA’s Cemetery Grant Program, the Commissioner of the State Veterans Affairs Department must have the legislative authority to complete and submit an application for a cemetery grant.
On the local level, The Putnam County legislature has passed two resolutions in support of the project. The first resolution approves for a parcel of land to be donated to the project. The second, accepts responsibility for the perpetual care and maintenance of the cemetery.
Eugene Parrotta, the chairman of Senator Ball’s Veterans Advisory Council, said he is hopeful that local Veterans will soon get this honor they so greatly deserve.
“Freedom and liberty are the title and deed of the soil we stand on. That price of that freedom and liberty is very expensive. This Veteran’s Cemetery Bill insures that their great sacrifice is repaid with the dignity, honor and respect that our Veterans deserve,” Said Eugene Parrotta. “I would like to thank Senator Ball for honoring us all with such great dignity and respect. God Bless Senator Ball, everyone here today, and The United States of America.”
Assemblyman Robert Castelli (R-Golden’s Bridge) is a sponsor of the Veterans’ Cemetery Bill in the Assembly. Assemblyman Castelli said, as a Vietnam Veteran and the Ranking Member of the Committee Veteran’s Affairs in the New York State Assembly, he is strongly behind the movement to provide funding for a veteran’s cemetery.
“Given the incredible sacrifice of generations of young men, and women, who have fought to preserve our freedom, it is little enough to ask for them to be laid to rest with the dignity and honor due our servicemen and women,” Assemblyman Castelli said.
For more information or to speak with Senator Ball, Contact Brittany Oat (845) 200-9716.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 23, 2012 Contact: Barry Caro – 914-924-8870 or press@becker2012.com
HAYWORTH DENIES “DIRECT FINANCIAL DEALINGS” WITH GRIMM, BUT RAISED $62K FOR HER CAMPAIGN WITH HIM LAST QUARTER THROUGH JOINT COMMITTEE
This morning, Dr. Richard Becker, Democratic candidate for the 19th Congressional District, called on Nan Hayworth to return over $62,285 she raised last quarter through a joint federal fundraising PAC with scandal-tarred Rep. Michael Grimm. In addition, Becker sharply questioned Hayworth’s decision to continue raising money through the PAC, known as “New York Congressional Victory Committee 2011,” while Grimm remains affiliated with it. The release is available online HERE.
When asked at a town hall meeting last night about whether she was re-evaluating her financial relationship with Rep. Grimm, Hayworth said, “he’s a colleague in the House of Representatives in the way 433 other people are. I don’t have any direct financial dealings with him.” In light of their joint involvement with the New York Congressional Victory Committee 2011, that statement is not accurate. Her full answer can be viewed HERE. “With the Justice Department reviewing Michael Grimm’s fundraising, and his biggest fundraiser in investigators’ crosshairs, it is unacceptable for Nan Hayworth to keep the $62,285.41 the two raised together,” Becker said in a statement. “Continuing to partner with Grimm to raise money while he’s under investigation for illegal fundraising is mind boggling. It’s bad enough to try and ignore or downplay allegations of corruption about a fellow member; it’s much worse when you might directly benefit from those alleged activities. Hayworth needs to give back this tainted money and stop working with Grimm to raise more of it. Anything less would raise serious questions about her commitment to an ethical Congress and the people of the Hudson Valley.” Grimm, Hayworth, and four other freshman Republican Congressmen formed the “New York Congressional Victory Committee 2011” last October to jointly raise money for their campaigns. According to FEC filings, the committee transferred $62,285.41 to Hayworth’s campaign account on Dec. 27; that sum represents ⅙ of Hayworth’s total fundraising last quarter. In addition, Grimm’s campaign treasurer Lisa Lisker is also the treasurer for the joint fundraising committee. According to group’s organizational papers - which have never been amended – Hayworth and Grimm are both currently raising money through the committee. Grimm’s fundraising apparatus has been under intense scrutiny since a New York Times expose last month revealed that Ofer Biton, who is the centerpiece of a multi-million dollar embezzlement investigation, may have “bundled” more than half of Grimm’s total individual fundraising during the 2010 election. According to press accounts, Grimm and Biton allegedly routinely broke federal campaign finance laws during the 2010 campaign by using straw donors, making illegal cash donations, and taking money from foreign nationals. Background When asked at a town hall on Feb. 22 whether she was re-evaluating her relationship with Rep. Grimm in light of recent allegations, Rep. Hayworth said she wasn’t. Hayworth downplayed her relationship with Grimm, saying: “We do all the disclosures with the FEC that are required and I don’t have any fears related to the news stories about Rep. Grimm. He’s a colleague in the House of Representatives the way 433 other people are. I don’t have any direct financial dealings with him.” [Town Hall meeting, Somers, NY, 2/22/12] Grimm and Hayworth formed the New York Congressional Victory Committee 2011 last October. Despite her assertion that she doesn’t “have any direct financial dealings with” Grimm, they partnered with other freshman Republican Congressmen in order to raise more money, and have been actively fundraising together through an authorized joint committee. [Capital New York, 10/9/11] Lisa Lisker serves as the Treasurer for both Michael Grimm’s campaign and the New York Congressional Victory Committee 2011. Lisa Lisker is listed as the campaign treasurer for both committees on the FEC website. Hayworth’s treasurer, Kevin Jahns, is not listed on the joint committee’s incorporation papers, nor are the treasurers for any of the other Representatives involved in the committee. [FEC committee pages: Grimm and Joint.] The joint committee transferred $62,285.41 to Rep. Hayworth’s campaign account on Dec. 27. This total represented 17.7%, or more than one sixth (1/6), of Hayworth’s total fundraising last quarter. [FEC end of year report, filed 1/31/12] The New York Times reported that Michael Grimm accepted illegal donations during his 2010 campaign. Their reporting alleged that Grimm had accepted donations from foreign nationals, donations above the legal limit, and donations from fictitious “straw donors.” The charges stem from Grimm’s involvement with Ofer Biton, who is now the target of a federal embezzelment investigation, and was based on more than a dozen interviews and close scrutiny of Grimm’s campaign finance records. [New York Times, 1/27/12] In a follow up story, the Times also reported serious ethical lapses by Rep. Grimm during his business career. After leaving the FBI, Grimm entered into a $1 million business partnership with a man then under indictment for racketeering and fraud. During the course of their partnership, the business partner was convicted. After the partner was released from prison, Grimm entered into two further business deals with him and campaigned with him. [New York Times, 2/16/12] When asked about the front-page scandal last week, Hayworth claimed “I have not studied it in any way, I have no comment on it.” When asked about the scandal by PolitickerNY after an event last Monday, Hayworth claimed ignorance. In response to a question about whether she had discussed the allegations with Grimm, Hayworth added “Not really.” [PolitickerNY, 2/13/12] According to prominent attorneys with experience representing organized crime figures, the allegations against Grimm could land him “in front of a federal grand jury.” In an interview with the Staten Island Advance, Attorney Joseph Sorrentino said, “if the allegations are true, they are serious. The reality is, they are crimes. If he took those types of donations, he could wind up in front of a federal grand jury.” Defense Attorney Patrick Parrotta added that “It looks like he has issues all over the place.” [Staten Island Advance, 1/31/12]
Bazzo 02/24/12
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Feb. 20 – Feb. 24, 2012 Tonko Named to House Enviro CommitteeUS Rep. Paul Tonko from the Capital Region was recently named New York’s sole member of the Natural Resources Committee which handles renewable energy, climate change, water and public lands. H20 Plan Leave Bad Taste in Some MouthsRockland County is home a controversial plan to convert Hudson River water into drinking water in a process known as desalination which removes salt and minerals. Local enviros have major health, habitat and sustainable development concerns. Motors are Running for Energy HighwayGovernor Cuomo has a vision for a better energy distribution system for the state. Private companies are clearly on board as evidenced by several major announcement this week concerning pipelines for gas and power lines for wind and hydro power. SAVE THE DATE: April 2, 2012Our Westchester Cocktail Party will feature Secretary of State Cesar Perales, and honor Jim Diamond and the Jacob Burns Film Center. Get your tickets today! Fracking vs. Home Rule and the MarketsWhile fracking is going through an exhaustive review here in New York State, conditions are getting trickier for this controversial gas extraction procedure as the market for gas has gotten soft and local powers to ban it have gotten stronger. |
MEDIA ADVISORY
BY INVITE ONLY (see attached)
CONTACT: Tom @ 914-455-4272
You are cordially invited
to attend the
Official Grand Opening
of
The Winery at St. George
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012
RIBBON CUTTING AT 5:30 P.M
1715 East Main Street
Mohegan Lake, New York 10547
RSVP – 914-455-4272
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