Bazzomanifesto Update 02/27/15: 8 Topics In Today's blog

THIS BLOGS TOPICS:

1) Not-for-Profit Promotional Opportunity Feb. 28 at JV Mall

2) Yorktown Town Board comments on pipeline permits  02/24/15

3) Yorktown Planning Board reviews CVS plan for Route 202 02/23/15

4) 12 Grapes: One more favor to ask. Please...

5) Galef Calls for NRC to Require Independent Safety Analysis of AIM Siting at Indian Point

6) NYGOP to Cuomo: Release book contract

7) PRESS RELEASE] Victory in 8-year fight for local Sex Offender Free zones

8) KATZ: BUDGET SHOULDN'T INCLUDE A TIE TO DREAM ACT

************** Follow Me @ 
**************  Yorktown News Website (http://www.youryorktown.com/)
**************  Mahopac News Website (http://www.yourmahopac.com/mahopac)
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FOLLOW ME AT:
LINKIN (ANTHONY BAZZO):http://www.linkedin.com
www.linkedin.com/pub/anthony-bazzo/19/352/684/
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FACEBOOK (THOMAS NEWMAN): http://www.facebook.com/

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YORKTOWN ORGANIZATIONS UNITED A Community Foundation that Seeks to Strengthen its Members and Affiliates by  Sharing Resources & Uniting the Community for the Common Good Don't Pass Up a Generous Opportunity to Promote Your  Not-for-Profit Organization this Saturday, Feb. 28, at Jefferson Valley Mall's 'Paint the Mall Red' [Heart + Health Awareness Day]  THERE STILL ARE A FEW TABLE SPACES AVAILABLE TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW ALL ABOUT YOU AND WHAT YOU DO  To find out how to take instant advantage of this timely  'offer you can't refuse'  contact  Alexa O'Rourke  Director of Marketing and Business Development  Jefferson Valley Mall 650 Lee Blvd.  Yorktown Heights, NY 10598  T 914.245.4688  M 914.215.2953  F 914.245.3479 aorourke@simon.com SIMON.COM About Yorktown Organizations United   YOUnited (Yorktown Organizations United) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit community foundation incorporated in the state of New York, with the legal supervision of a Board of Trustees and By-Laws. Our Mission Statement ...   [Yorktown Organizations United (YOUnited) Is]  A Community Foundation that Seeks to Strengthen its Members and Affiliates by  Sharing Resources & Uniting the Community for the Common Good As further stated in the By-Laws, YOUnited "serves as a clearinghouse and umbrella for support group for community-based organizations within the Town of Yorktown, as well as a resource for the receipt and dissemination of non-specific funds that may become available through corporate and private community responsibility programs or other means."  YOUNITED's Board of Trustees meets the first Tuesday of each month (except where noted) at 8:30 a.m. in the main Board Room of Yorktown Town Hall, 363 Underhill Avenue, Yorktown Heights, N.Y. 10598.  Next Scheduled 2015 Board of Trustees meetings: February 10, March 3, April 7, May 5 .   To attend a Board meeting as a non-voting member, please contact us in advance at YOUNITEDNY@GMAIL.COM or (914) 275-6887.  VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT YORKTOWNUNITED.ORG to sign up for FREE as a YOUnited member YORKTOWN ORGANIZATIONS UNITED  BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2015   BRUCE APAR, PRESIDENT; MIKE SITZER, VICE PRESIDENT RICHARD DE SILVA, TREASURER; MARY CAPOCCIA, SECRETARY   HONORABLE SALVATORE A. LAGONIA, COUNSEL  MICHAEL GRACE, EXECUTIVE MEMBER-AT-LARGE;  MEMBERS-AT-LARGE:  TRICY CUSHNER, AL FRENCH, MONICA GARRIGAN,  ALEXA O'ROURKE,  THE REV. CLAIRE WOODLEY      Yorktown Organizations United

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Citizens for an Informed Yorktown

Note: As of December 2, 2014, CIY summaries of Town Board meetings are being written by Susan Siegel in her capacity as a councilwoman. Town Board February 24, 2015   Meeting highlights.  For a discussion of other agenda items, visit ciyinfo.org. 1. Hallocks Mill Sewers (Yorktown Sewer District) The board took the first step in the long delayed project to upgrade three aging pump stations. Supervisor Grace said that moving ahead on the upgrades will help the DEP look more favorably on the town’s efforts to allow more hook-ups to the plant. 2. Unpaid Taxes (2008-2012) and Foreclosure Efforts As of early this month, and up to 2012, the town was owed $1.9 million in back taxes, or $2.5 million when interest was added on.  The board discussed the next steps in collecting the money. It also discussed what could be done to resolve the long standing Sultana Pool problem. 3. Algonquin Pipeline Project The board approved a resolution to send a six page comment letter to the DEC asking the agency to delay issuing air and water quality permits for the pipeline project until a long list of unanswered questions were addressed. 4. Group home on Florida Road The board approved the siting of a group home at 1480 Florida Road to be operated by Opengate.

follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2015 Citizens for an Informed Yorktown, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted to receive these meeting summaries. Our mailing address is: Citizens for an Informed Yorktown PO Box 193 Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

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Citizens for an Informed Yorktown

Planning Board Work Session February 23, 2015 Meeting highlights. For details on all agenda items, visit ciyinfo.org. 1. BJ's/Staples Center The board discussed the location of the proposed new sit-down restaurant and traffic flow for a proposed drive in window, plus coordinating traffic improvements with other proposed developments on the north side of Route 202. (See below) 2. Crompond Terraces The Planning Board gave out copies of its letter to the Town Board, supporting the rezoning for mixed use and the hamlet concept. 3. CVS Pharmacy Crompond Road CVS representatives gave an overview of the plans, including traffic, sidewalks, wetlands and flood plain issues, drainage and the architectural treatment of the buildings. A Public Informational Hearing is set for April 13, 2015.  4. Lake Osceola Square The Recreation Commission has recommended against the Town taking ownership of the beach for a public swimming facility and issues remain about what, if any, public access to the lake will be. The discussion became heated at times. The applicant  is now proposing to eliminate the retail stores and have the restaurant on the first level and apartments on the second and third level.

follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2015 Citizens for an Informed Yorktown, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted to receive these meeting summaries. Our mailing address is: Citizens for an Informed Yorktown PO Box 193 Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

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Your votes got us into the final round of Westchester Magazine's annual awards, and we thank you for that.  12 Grapes is a finalist for Best Wine Bar and Best Wine Menu PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VOTE It only takes a few seconds. VOTE TODAY! Thanks again!  Event Calendar                    News/Reviews               Phone: 914-737-6624

EVERY WEDNESDAY at 12 Grapes! Ladies Night "Unplugged" $6 Wines by the glass $6 Martinis  $4 Beers  1/2-priced Appetizers! LIVE ACOUSTIC MUSIC  each week! Peekskill Restaurant Week Wed Feb 25 - Sun Mar 1 Discounts at local businesses and restaurants all this week! $25 Three-course Prix Fixe Dinner  Cannot be combined with other offers. PLEASE CALL FOR RESERVATIONS: 914-737-6624 Wed Feb 25, 8:00 - 10:00 Chris Raabe  Ladies' Night "Unplugged"  Chris' approach to his music is emotional and passionate. With a song selection that ranges from Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers to John Mayer and more, his performances will grab you by the heart. No Cover. Thu Feb 26, 9:00 - 11:00 Mike Milazzo An accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist who blends rock, folk, country, and blues into a distinctive Americana sound.  Mike has opened for Richie Havens, and Levon Helm. He will have you smiling, laughing and dancing from the first note! No Cover Fri Feb 27, 9:30 - 12:30 Drew Bordeaux & The Cavalry Drew on guitar/vocals, Jon Cobert on keys, Anthony Candullo on bass and Tom Barraco (formerly of the folkedelics) on drums. A powerhouse band bringing the Rock & Roll "Thunder"! $5 Cover.  Sat Feb 28, 9:30 - 12:30 Bookends Band  Classic and Acoustic Rock from The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Creedence Clearwater, Dylan, The Eagles, Van Morrison, Springsteen, Hendrix and so more. Songs from the '60s, '70s and beyond.  $5 Cover. NEXT WEEK: Fri Mar 6, Bakklash Classic/Current Rock, Funk, and Jazz. Covers of artists such as Tower of Power, Amy Winehouse, The Police, Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder,  Pink Floyd, Def Leppard, Cee Lo Green, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more! $5 Cover. NEXT WEEK: Sun Mar 8 18-piece Swing BandClassic Swing music, Sinatra, Broadway selections and songs from the '40's, '50's and more. Reservations recommended!  Fun is guaranteed. $5 Cover or higher donation goes directly to the band.

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On Wednesday, February 25, 2015 4:38 PM, Sandra Galef wrote: From NEWS     
Assemblywoman 95th Assembly District                        

SANDY GALEF   
District Office:
  2 Church Street, Ossining, NY 10562
albany office:
 Room 641,
Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
 For Immediate Release
Contact:  Sandy Galef
(518) 455-5348
(914) 450-4086
Galef: NRC Must Shut Down Approval of Spectra's

AIM Pipeline Siting at Indian Point
Assemblywoman Calls for NRC to Require an Independent,

In-Depth Safety Analysis

(February 25, 2015) In a catastrophic failure scenario, how quickly can a
42-inch high-pressure natural gas line in Buchanan, New York be shut down
from a remote access location in Texas?  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC), responsible for the safety of all nuclear power plants in the U.S.,
believes that failsafe shutdown could occur in only three minutes.


Entergy, the operator of the Indian Point nuclear power plants, conducted a
safety assessment of the proposed gas line siting, and came up with the
three-minute gas pipeline shutdown estimate, which was then accepted by the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). When asked by the Assemblywoman for
verification of the estimate, the NRC said that Entergy based its estimate
on information provided in documents submitted by Spectra Energy to the
Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC).



Spectra Energy has filed its Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project
application with the federal agency responsible for approving siting of
pipelines. The AIM project calls for installing a high pressure and high
volume natural gas pipeline that will pass less than two hundred feet from
vital structures at Indian Point.



New York State Assemblywoman Galef, who represents Buchanan, New York, has
raised concern about the three-minute shutdown claim.  She believes the NRC
needs to require a full and complete independent analysis of the safety of
the AIM project in relation to Indian Point, in which assumptions are
properly validated.  "It is irresponsible to take a recommendation from a
company like Spectra that wants their business to be here, and not
independently validate it.  The safety of the people in the Hudson Valley
region should take precedence over the interests of two energy production
companies. There is no other place in this country where a gas pipeline
comes as close to a nuclear power plant as there is here, so it requires
above and beyond oversight and analysis," Galef said.



The NRC actions violate its own regulatory obligations to require verifiable
safety testing methodology and results for systems related to Indian Point.
The NRC accepted Entergy's estimate for a safe shutdown of the natural gas
pipeline in a catastrophic failure and explosion - the information is little
more than an unsubstantiated claim of Spectra Energy buried in its paperwork
submission to FERC. To compound the failure of these agencies, FERC then
accepted the NRC's explanation.



Upon a detailed review, pipeline expert Rick Kuprewicz and nuclear expert
Paul Blanch have concluded that the estimated timeframe is inaccurate and
defies the law of thermodynamics should an explosion occur.  In spite of
requests from members of the U.S. House and Senate as well as Assemblywoman
Galef, Westchester County legislators, and local elected officials, the NRC
and FERC have refused to require Entergy or Spectra to have their claims
verified by an independent analysis.



"We must do a better job analyzing these potential threats and should not be
rushing to any conclusions," Galef stated.  "The safety of this region is at
stake." 

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February 26, 2015

NYGOP to Cuomo: Release book contract   Party calls for transparency after bombshell report that Cuomo helped publisher before signing contract

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: David Laska dlaska@nygop.org 518.462.2601

ALBANY... The NYGOP today called on Andrew Cuomo to release the full text of his book deal with HarperCollins. Yesterday, the International Business Times reported that in the lead-up to the contract signing, Cuomo personally backed several state initiatives that directly benefited News Corporation, HarperCollins' parent company. At a press conference yesterday, Cuomo denied any knowledge of lobbying efforts on News Corporation's behalf and - stunningly - even denied knowledge of some of the policy initiatives in question.  Of one particular tax break, Cuomo said, "I don't even know what that is, by the way."  "This report raises serious questions and New Yorkers deserve answers," said NYGOP spokesman David Laska.  "If Andrew Cuomo is serious about ending corruption in Albany, let him start with transparency in his own office by releasing the full text of his contract with HarperCollins.  What does the Governor have to hide?"  Cuomo's contract with HarperCollins is expected to pay him as much as $700,000.  The book was released last fall and has sold only 3,000 copies, earning HarperCollins only a small fraction of its initial investment.

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On Thursday, February 26, 2015 11:54 AM, Senator Terrence Murphy wrote:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 26th, 2015 CONTACT: Matthew Slater, 518-455-3111 MURPHY AUTHORS AND PASSES FIRST BILL: VICTIM SAFETY ZONES ALBANY, NY - While discussion of so-called "child safety zone" legislation has recently shot to the forefront after a state appellate court decision striking down municipal laws to enact residency requirements for sex offenders, those who have been involved in the issue for years today celebrated a significant legislative victory in Albany. The Senate passed two bills, one co-prime sponsored by Senator Terrence Murphy that would allow a municipal local option to restrict residency for sex offenders, as well as a bill authored by Murphy that makes it unlawful for a convicted sex offender to reside near their victim. "This victory has been a long-time coming and I'm proud that after eight years, we can finally say that our towns and counties are free to pass child safety zone laws that will now withstand a legal challenge," Senator Murphy said. "Yet what we've learned is that while child safety zones may create a sense of security, many sexual assaults against children are perpetrated by someone the victim knows. Victims should not have to tolerate the emotional distress that coming into contact with their abuser may cause." Murphy began his advocacy for child safety zones in 2007 with an organization known as Keeping Westchester Safe. He served on the State Assembly Sex Offender Watch Task Force, responsible for the genesis of the idea, pushing for its adoption in several counties including Putnam, which he now represents. The courts struck down those initial laws, on the basis that a municipality could not preempt the state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) on sex offender placement, leading to the first statewide proposals for a child safety zone fix. Municipalities tried to work around the court ruling by limiting their local laws to ordinances that dealt with offenders who were not under DCJS supervision, however, this month the appellate court rendered a decision which struck down those laws and led to the introduction of the new legislation passed today. The law Murphy authored and passed is his first legislation to successfully pass the State Senate. It addresses expert concerns that child safety zone laws alone are not enough to protect victims by restricting sex offenders from residing within 1500 feet of the residence to their victim. The other piece Murphy cosponsored allows localities to legally provide residency requirements for sex offenders. "I hope the State Assembly will move quickly to pass both these laws to protect victims and so our towns and counties finally have the option to legally define sex offender free zones such as schools, bus stops, child care facilities, parks, playgrounds, sports fields, dance studios and other facilities that attract children where we say to sexual predators, find someplace else to live," he said. -30-

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On Thursday, February 26, 2015 12:53 PM, Assemblyman Steve Katz wrote:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 26, 2015 Contact Tara Keegan 845-628-3781 Katz4NY@gmail.com   KATZ: BUDGET SHOULDN'T INCLUDE A TIE TO DREAM ACT               In his 30-day budget amendments, Gov. Cuomo has tied future funding of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to the DREAM Act. Assemblyman Steve Katz (R,C - Yorktown) is calling on Gov. Cuomo and the Legislature to remove the DREAM Act from the TAP funding equation. The assemblyman argues that TAP is an essential post-partisan program, whereas the same cannot be said for the DREAM Act.               "TAP is a necessary program that provides families with the opportunity to send their child to college when they thought that was impossible," Katz said. "TAP funding shouldn't be so willfully used as a political tool to force a partisan agenda down the throats of New Yorkers. There's a reason the DREAM Act hasn't become law in our state, the people don't want it. To try to extort the Legislature into making a decision between those who have broken our laws and the continuation of funding for TAP is truly despicable. It is irresponsible and typical of this government to attach two remarkably different bills to one another.  I sincerely hope that, during budget negotiations, everyone comes to their senses and removes the DREAM Act provision of the budget."               Assemblyman Steve Katz is the primary sponsor of Assembly Bill 2849, which would require all students admitted to a SUNY or CUNY school be a United States citizen or be legally admitted to the United States.  As of the 2013-2014 school year, TAP had 372,527 recipients receiving sums between $500 and $5,165.   ###

Bazzo 02/27/15