Caroline Kennedy withdrew her bid for Hillary Clinton's New York senate seat. A source close to Kennedy said it was for "serious" personal reasons. Kelly Wallace reports.
7 years ago
Friday, January 23, 2009
Gillibrand Tapped for Clinton US Senate Seat - NYT - Reuters
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New York Gov. David Paterson has picked Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the New York Times reported Friday, citing a person who had spoken to the governor.
His office said Kennedy's decision to withdraw had been hers alone.
New York Gov. David Paterson has picked Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the New York Times reported Friday, citing a person who had spoken to the governor.
Gillibrand, 42, is a second-term Democratic congresswoman from upstate New York. Fox News reported on Thursday night that Gillibrand would be selected, citing a Democratic official with knowledge of the governor's decision.
An aide to Gillibrand confirmed that she had accepted the appointment, the Times reported.
The governor will announce his selection at noon (1700 GMT) in Albany, the state capital. The Democrats currently hold a 57-41 majority in the U.S. Senate.
Gillibrand and New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo were considered among the top candidates after Caroline Kennedy, who had been considered the front-runner, withdrew from consideration on Thursday.
Clinton, a former first lady, left the Senate to become the nation's top diplomat under President Barack Obama, putting the decision on filling the vacancy in the hands of Paterson.
Gillibrand was elected to Congress in 2006, defeating a four-term Republican incumbent. Endorsed by the National Rifle Association, Gillibrand is controversial among some of the party's more liberal leaders in New York, the Times said.
Paterson said he would reveal his choice on Friday, a day after Kennedy, 51, announced her decision to withdraw.His office said Kennedy's decision to withdraw had been hers alone.
"The governor considers Caroline a friend and knows she will continue to serve New York well inside or outside of government," the statement said. "We wish her well in all her future endeavors."
Kennedy, who has long guarded her privacy, had a rocky political debut. She seemed uncomfortable talking to the media and was criticized for giving vague and inarticulate answers to interview questions.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Gulluscio Gears Up for Feb. 24 Election by Lee Landor - Queens Chronicle
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It’s been almost a year since he declared his candidacy in the special election for the 32nd Council District seat, and Frank Gulluscio is well prepared and ready to go.
Photo: Frank Gulluscio, right, with singer Tony Bennett on Jan. 13 during Queens Borough President Helen Marshall’s State of the Borough address. (photo by Michael O’Kane)
The Democratic district leader from Howard Beach has long been involved in the community, formerly as a teacher and later as a member of Joseph Addabbo Jr.’s City Council staff.
The 60-year-old grandfather of two said the experience in the world of public service has prepared him well for a council seat.
Following his stint with Addabbo, Gulluscio became the district manager for Community Board 6, where he has been working for more than two years.
“I’m actually doing what the City Council does now at my job as district manager,” Gulluscio said last February. “We do all the services that the people require, just like the City Council, and the only thing we don’t do is make the laws.”
The community boards are now examining their budgets — which have suffered major cuts in recent months — and taking a “serious, serious look at government at probably the most grass roots level that there is,” Gulluscio said this week.
Just as his work on the community board has familiarized him with budget management, Gulluscio’s background in local civic and political life has helped him garner name recognition in the communities he would represent, should he win the Feb. 24 non-partisan special election. It has also generated for him strong ties with community leaders, he said.
The focus of Gulluscio’s campaign is to serve the community by addressing “kitchen-table issues” and showing residents that he can relate to their concerns and lifestyles.
“I understand our schools, I understand business, I understand government,” Gulluscio said.
“More importantly, I understand, firsthand, what it means to be a middle-class resident of this city struggling to earn a living and raise a family successfully.”
Part of Gulluscio’s “mission” upon reaching City Hall, he said, is studying initiatives and measures Addabbo started when he was in office and making sure that they come to fruition.
The Department of Education is a top priority for Gulluscio, who has volunteered his time at the St. Mary Gate of Heaven School in Ozone Park for the last three and a half decades. “We have to look at education in a wide view,” Gulluscio said. “Not with blinders on.”
On the controversial issue of mayoral control of the city’s public schools, Gulluscio said it “has to be tweaked so that we get more parental involvement, parental input and parental communication.” Transparency, he added, is key.
Financial problems surrounding Catholic private schools also needs to be examinued, Gulluscio said, noting that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens has already shuttered and merged a number of schools in the area.
Considering the current economic situation, it’s critical to examine the city’s revenue stream, according to Gulluscio, who said, “I believe that we should be cutting some more fat out of city government before we start raising taxes.”
While he anticipates addressing these issues if he wins the election, Gulluscio is most looking forward to “making sure we have the quality of life that we really deserve.” He wants to be “a real advocate for the people,” he said.
Up against six other candidates, some of whom are as well-known as he is, Gulluscio has some campaigning to do for the next month before the election, but he’s confident the seat is his.
Gulluscio and his campaign team have raised more than $40,000 in campaign funds as of the most recent filing date, Jan. 15. They have collected more than the 1,000 signatures required to be placed on the ballot and filed the necessary paperwork. Their only concern, Gulluscio said, is the weather. He hopes it won’t be so terrible as to prevent voters from coming out on Election Day.
The other six contenders are Rockaway Democratic District Leaders Lew Simon and Geraldine Chapey, Ozone Park Republican District Leader Eric Ulrich, retired NYPD lieutenant Glenn DiResto of Rockaway, Howard Beach businessman Michael Ricatto and retired Ozone Park educator Sam DiBernardo.
It’s been almost a year since he declared his candidacy in the special election for the 32nd Council District seat, and Frank Gulluscio is well prepared and ready to go.
Photo: Frank Gulluscio, right, with singer Tony Bennett on Jan. 13 during Queens Borough President Helen Marshall’s State of the Borough address. (photo by Michael O’Kane)The Democratic district leader from Howard Beach has long been involved in the community, formerly as a teacher and later as a member of Joseph Addabbo Jr.’s City Council staff.
The 60-year-old grandfather of two said the experience in the world of public service has prepared him well for a council seat.
Following his stint with Addabbo, Gulluscio became the district manager for Community Board 6, where he has been working for more than two years.
“I’m actually doing what the City Council does now at my job as district manager,” Gulluscio said last February. “We do all the services that the people require, just like the City Council, and the only thing we don’t do is make the laws.”
The community boards are now examining their budgets — which have suffered major cuts in recent months — and taking a “serious, serious look at government at probably the most grass roots level that there is,” Gulluscio said this week.
Just as his work on the community board has familiarized him with budget management, Gulluscio’s background in local civic and political life has helped him garner name recognition in the communities he would represent, should he win the Feb. 24 non-partisan special election. It has also generated for him strong ties with community leaders, he said.
The focus of Gulluscio’s campaign is to serve the community by addressing “kitchen-table issues” and showing residents that he can relate to their concerns and lifestyles.
“I understand our schools, I understand business, I understand government,” Gulluscio said.
“More importantly, I understand, firsthand, what it means to be a middle-class resident of this city struggling to earn a living and raise a family successfully.”
Part of Gulluscio’s “mission” upon reaching City Hall, he said, is studying initiatives and measures Addabbo started when he was in office and making sure that they come to fruition.
The Department of Education is a top priority for Gulluscio, who has volunteered his time at the St. Mary Gate of Heaven School in Ozone Park for the last three and a half decades. “We have to look at education in a wide view,” Gulluscio said. “Not with blinders on.”
On the controversial issue of mayoral control of the city’s public schools, Gulluscio said it “has to be tweaked so that we get more parental involvement, parental input and parental communication.” Transparency, he added, is key.
Financial problems surrounding Catholic private schools also needs to be examinued, Gulluscio said, noting that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens has already shuttered and merged a number of schools in the area.
Considering the current economic situation, it’s critical to examine the city’s revenue stream, according to Gulluscio, who said, “I believe that we should be cutting some more fat out of city government before we start raising taxes.”
While he anticipates addressing these issues if he wins the election, Gulluscio is most looking forward to “making sure we have the quality of life that we really deserve.” He wants to be “a real advocate for the people,” he said.
Up against six other candidates, some of whom are as well-known as he is, Gulluscio has some campaigning to do for the next month before the election, but he’s confident the seat is his.
Gulluscio and his campaign team have raised more than $40,000 in campaign funds as of the most recent filing date, Jan. 15. They have collected more than the 1,000 signatures required to be placed on the ballot and filed the necessary paperwork. Their only concern, Gulluscio said, is the weather. He hopes it won’t be so terrible as to prevent voters from coming out on Election Day.
The other six contenders are Rockaway Democratic District Leaders Lew Simon and Geraldine Chapey, Ozone Park Republican District Leader Eric Ulrich, retired NYPD lieutenant Glenn DiResto of Rockaway, Howard Beach businessman Michael Ricatto and retired Ozone Park educator Sam DiBernardo.
111th Congress/Congressman Ed Towns Ceremonial Swearing-In Starrett City, Brooklyn, NY Sun 1/18/09
Additional YouTube videos of the event...
Ceremonial Swearing-In for Congressman "Edolphus "Ed" Towns - Chairman, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Brooklyn Sports Club@ Starrett City
1540 Van Siclen Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11239
Deidra C. Towns/Executive Producer
Ana Carril-Grumberg/Executive Producer/Director/Editor
Colin Battiste/Cameraman/Editor/Producer
Some photos...
Addabbo Backs Plan for Blackjack, Craps and Roulette at Aqueduct Race Track by Howard Koplowitz - YourNabe.com
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Delaware North may be adding to the planned video lottery terminals for Aqueduct Race Track, shown here, after a state senator is proposing to allow craps, blackjack and roulette at the track. Rendering courtesy of Delaware North
The video lottery terminals planned for Aqueduct may be joined at the Ozone Park track by their game of chance cousins — electronic blackjack, craps and roulette — if one state senator’s proposal is enacted.
State Sen. Jeff Klein (D-Bronx) is suggesting that the other casino games should be installed at Aqueduct and other state racetracks where VLTs — devices similar to slot machines — are approved in an effort to boost revenue for education amid the state’s fiscal woes.
His colleague, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), whose district covers Aqueduct, is endorsing the idea.
“We probably wouldn’t be talking about this if it wasn’t for bad fiscal times,” Addabbo said in a telephone interview Friday. “If we have the opportunity to help to an extent the education part of the budget ... then we should explore some of these alternatives.”
Klein said the plan, which he introduced in the state Senate last week, would boost education revenue by $150 billion if it goes through.
He noted that Gov. David Paterson’s budget proposal slashes education funding by $698 million — or more than 3 percent — from last year’s budget.
“In these dire fiscal times we need smart solutions that not only maintain essential services, but keep our schools strong,” he said in a statement. “It is essential that our children get the quality education they deserve, which can be accomplished through growing lottery revenue.”
The senator said the state takes a $3.3 billion hit on revenues by New York residents gambling in Atlantic City, noting that nearly a quarter of Atlantic City visitors came from New York in 2007.
The bill has support from Gordon Medenica, director of the state Lottery, Leonie Haimson of the education advocacy group Class Size Matters and Kim Sweet of Advocates for Children.
Installation of 4,500 VLTs at Aqueduct and the construction of other amenities will be underway once the state signs off on a memorandum of understanding with Delaware North, the Buffalo-based company that was awarded the VLT contract.
Delaware North could not be reached for comment on the proposal.
Delaware North may be adding to the planned video lottery terminals for Aqueduct Race Track, shown here, after a state senator is proposing to allow craps, blackjack and roulette at the track. Rendering courtesy of Delaware NorthThe video lottery terminals planned for Aqueduct may be joined at the Ozone Park track by their game of chance cousins — electronic blackjack, craps and roulette — if one state senator’s proposal is enacted.
State Sen. Jeff Klein (D-Bronx) is suggesting that the other casino games should be installed at Aqueduct and other state racetracks where VLTs — devices similar to slot machines — are approved in an effort to boost revenue for education amid the state’s fiscal woes.
His colleague, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), whose district covers Aqueduct, is endorsing the idea.
“We probably wouldn’t be talking about this if it wasn’t for bad fiscal times,” Addabbo said in a telephone interview Friday. “If we have the opportunity to help to an extent the education part of the budget ... then we should explore some of these alternatives.”
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He noted that Gov. David Paterson’s budget proposal slashes education funding by $698 million — or more than 3 percent — from last year’s budget.
“In these dire fiscal times we need smart solutions that not only maintain essential services, but keep our schools strong,” he said in a statement. “It is essential that our children get the quality education they deserve, which can be accomplished through growing lottery revenue.”
The senator said the state takes a $3.3 billion hit on revenues by New York residents gambling in Atlantic City, noting that nearly a quarter of Atlantic City visitors came from New York in 2007.
The bill has support from Gordon Medenica, director of the state Lottery, Leonie Haimson of the education advocacy group Class Size Matters and Kim Sweet of Advocates for Children.
Installation of 4,500 VLTs at Aqueduct and the construction of other amenities will be underway once the state signs off on a memorandum of understanding with Delaware North, the Buffalo-based company that was awarded the VLT contract.
Delaware North could not be reached for comment on the proposal.
Council President Is Awarded - www.timesnewsweekly.com | Times Newsweekly
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Heidi Harrison Chain (at left), who serves as president of the 112th Precinct Community Council, was presented with her award as a NYPD Woman of the Year.
Shown making the presentation is 112th Precinct commander Capt. Christopher Tamola, at the December meeting of the 112th Precinct Community Council in Forest Hills.
Heidi Harrison Chain (at left), who serves as president of the 112th Precinct Community Council, was presented with her award as a NYPD Woman of the Year.Shown making the presentation is 112th Precinct commander Capt. Christopher Tamola, at the December meeting of the 112th Precinct Community Council in Forest Hills.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Hillary Clinton Confirmed As Secretary Of State by Anne Flaherty - AP
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The Senate confirmed Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state Wednesday as President Barack Obama moved to make his imprint on U.S. foreign policy, mobilizing a fresh team of veteran advisers and reaching out to world leaders. The Senate voted 94-2, with Republican Sens. David Vitter of Louisiana and Jim DeMint of South Carolina opposing.
The Senate confirmed Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state Wednesday as President Barack Obama moved to make his imprint on U.S. foreign policy, mobilizing a fresh team of veteran advisers and reaching out to world leaders. The Senate voted 94-2, with Republican Sens. David Vitter of Louisiana and Jim DeMint of South Carolina opposing. Republicans and Democrats alike said her swift confirmation was necessary so that Obama could begin tackling the major foreign policy issues at hand, including two wars, increased violence in the Middle East and the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran.
"It is essential that we provide the president with the tools and resources he needs to effect change, and that starts with putting a national security team in place as soon as possible," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.
Obama's presidential rival, Sen. John McCain, was among those who spoke in Clinton's favor.
"This nation has come together in a way that it has not for some time," said the Arizona Republican, on the Senate floor for the first time since the inauguration.
Voters "want us to work together and get to work," McCain said.
As the Senate debated Clinton's appointment, Obama wasted no time in his first day at the White House. According to a White House spokesman, Obama placed telephone calls to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The administration also planned to name former Senate Democratic leader George J. Mitchell as Clinton's special envoy for the Middle East. Dennis Ross, a longtime U.S. negotiator, was also expected to advise Clinton on Mideast policy, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the move.
She was sworn in as the nation's 67th secretary of state in her office in the Russell Senate Office Building. Attending the private ceremony was her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and her Senate staff. According to her office, she used the Bible that belonged to her late father. To assume the position, she submitted her resignation as senator in twin letters to Vice President Joe Biden, as president of the Senate, and New York Gov. David Paterson.
The former first lady planned to report to the State Department on Thursday, where she was expected to address employees in the main lobby that morning - a tradition of sorts for secretaries of state on their first day on the job.
Clinton received overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress despite lingering concerns by some Republicans that her husband's charitable fundraising overseas could pose conflicts of interest.
Sen. Richard Lugar, the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, proposed that former President Bill Clinton's foundation reject foreign contributions. But Hillary Clinton rejected Lugar's proposal, contending that the foundation's plan to disclose annually its list of donors and a range of its contributions already exceeds legal requirements.
Lugar said he hoped Clinton would re-examine her position but supported her appointment, citing her "remarkable qualifications" and "pressing global issues."
Vitter and DeMint, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said they were unsatisfied. Last week, Vitter cast the sole opposing vote in the committee's 16-1 endorsement of Clinton. DeMint voted in favor of Clinton on the committee because he said he didn't want to obstruct a full Senate vote on her appointment, but ultimately did not support her nomination.
In addition to concerns surrounding the foundation, DeMint said he opposes Clinton's positions on such matters as providing aid to foreign groups that offer abortions.
"I do not plan to slow up this nomination, but I do find it difficult to support a nominee who I know will pursue policies so contrary to American sovereignty and the dignity of the human person," he said.
Following the vote, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee endorsed Susan Rice to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a post Obama has elevated to the Cabinet level.
Meanwhile, the Senate considered other appointments by Obama.
Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner apologized to the Senate Finance Committee and said he was careless for failing to pay $34,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes earlier this decade. The committee planned to vote on his appointment on Thursday.
Eric Holder's bid to become the first African-American attorney general was delayed for at least a week when Republicans demanded more time to question him about harsh interrogations, Guantanamo trials and other topics.
___
Associated Press writers Barry Schweid, Martin Crutsinger and Larry Margasak contributed to this report.
Kennedy Is Said to Withdraw Senate Bid By Nicholas Confessore and Danny Hakim- NYTimes.com
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Caroline Kennedy has withdrawn from consideration for the vacant Senate seat in New York, according to a person told of her decision.
On Wednesday she called the governor, David Paterson, who is making the selection of who should succeed Senator Hillary Clinton. Her concerns about Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s deteriorating health (he was hospitalized after a seizure during the inaugural lunch on Tuesday ) prompted her decision to withdraw, this person said. Coping with the health issues of her uncle, with whom she enjoys an extraordinarily close bond, was her most important priority; a situation not conducive to starting a high profile public job.
Caroline Kennedy has withdrawn from consideration for the vacant Senate seat in New York, according to a person told of her decision.On Wednesday she called the governor, David Paterson, who is making the selection of who should succeed Senator Hillary Clinton. Her concerns about Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s deteriorating health (he was hospitalized after a seizure during the inaugural lunch on Tuesday ) prompted her decision to withdraw, this person said. Coping with the health issues of her uncle, with whom she enjoys an extraordinarily close bond, was her most important priority; a situation not conducive to starting a high profile public job.
She was planning to issue a statement on Wednesday evening.
Ms. Kennedy’s decision comes nearly two months after she, along with several members of Congress and leading political officials, began auditioning to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton in the coveted position.
The decision is certain to startle the political world.Ms. Kennedy had gained the support of some powerful backers in the state, including several labor officials and a top aide to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Kevin Sheekey.
But her pursuit of the seat also set off resistance, with some local Democratic officials suggesting it smacked of entitlement, and polls showing voters preferring Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo for the position. Ms. Kennedy, 51, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy and a resident of the Upper East Side of Manhattan, has never served in public office.
Gov. David A. Paterson plans to announce on Saturday whom he has selected. The governor has been coy about his decision, and while he has praised Ms. Kennedy, he has also spoken approvingly of other candidates, including Mr. Cuomo and Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, who is beginning her second term as a congresswoman from the Albany area.
Mrs. Clinton resigned from the Senate late Wednesday, immediately after being sworn in as secretary of state.
Candidate's Campaign 'Hiatus' Questioned by John Lauinger - NY Daily News
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Republican Mike Ricatto is back on the campaign trail, spending big bucks to win the Feb. 24 City Council special election.
But did the deep-pocketed businessman from Ozone Park ever really suspend his campaign, as he vowed to do shortly after a tragic accident involving his campaign bus?
Ricatto, 52, pledged to put his stumping on hold on Jan. 6, the same day the bus - driven by a 22-year-old with a suspended license - struck and killed 9-year-old Ibrihim Ahmed as he walked home from school.
"I have suspended all campaign activities until further notice because the reverence for family loss comes before any politics," Ricatto said that day.
Ricatto is running for the 32nd Council District seat formerly held by state Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr.
Ricatto spokesman James McClelland said campaigning did not resume until Jan. 10, the day of Ibrihim's funeral, which the candidate attended.
But during the interval his campaign was supposedly on hold, Ricatto paid a weekly newspaper $900 for ads and a computer consultant to launch his Web site, which went live during that time period.
"Some bills had to be paid," McClelland told the Queens News on Friday. "We didn't want to leave anybody hanging, so we just paid those two bills."
The consultant launched the Web site without the campaign's approval, McClelland said, noting the campaign later changed the site to reflect the hiatus.
Ricatto is running in a crowded, seven-candidate field for the nonpartisan special election.
The day after Ricatto suspended his campaign, McClelland hinted that Ricatto might bow out. "We don't know how we are going to move forward," McClelland told The News on Jan. 7.
But, the next day, Ricatto's campaign submitted a Certificate of Acceptance to the city Board of Elections. The document formally states his candidacy.
When asked about the filing, McClelland initially dodged the question, explaining the campaign office remained open only to notify supporters that a Jan. 8 fund-raiser had been cancelled.
McClelland later said the paperwork was filed to meet a deadline. "If we didn't do it and we decided to go forward, we would be unable to do so," he said.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Bayside Cemetery - Potential Public Health & Safety Issue - Exposed Human Remains at Bayside Cemetery, Ozone Park, Queens
It has come to the attention of the plaintiffs in the Bayside Cemetery Litigation (www.
Some photographs of the previous 2003 grave desecration and re-interment efforts led by volunteers can be found at http://photos.
In December 2008, it was reported to the plaintiffs that sometime in November 2008, more mausoleums at Bayside Cemetery were broken into and desecrated. Crypts were destroyed, coffins smashed, and human remains were scattered on the ground. Some amateur photographers documented the situation at Bayside Cemetery on January 4, 2009. Their photographs can be viewed at http://citynoise.org/article/
Scientific literature documents the potential dangers of exposure to human remains, the dust and residue in and around human remains, and the potential for transmission of bacterial, viral, and chemical pathogens from exposed human remains.
The following are some readily available citations and excerpts documenting the potential dangers of exposed human remains at Bayside Cemetery.
· Risky Business: Potential Hazards in the Archaelogical Investigation of Historic Cemeteries - By Alexandra Bybee - Paper presented at the 5th Annual Council for West Virginia Archaelogy Spring Workshop
http://www.crai-ky.com/
"Numerous infectious bacterial and viral diseases affected historic populations, many of which were catastrophic to 18th, 19th, and early 20th century populations in the United States. Although it is not likely that vestiges of these diseases could have survived over the years in an historic grave setting, it is possible, especially under certain circumstances […]"
"Although the risk of acquiring disease from human remains decreases rapidly with time and decomposition and loss of soft tissue, if an intact metal casket is encountered, it is possible that any communicable disease afflicting the deceased in life, and possibly causing his or her death, could be present in preserved soft tissues."
"Bacterial diseases were prevalent in most North American populations prior to the 20th century and were probably the leading cause of death during that time. Anthrax, tetanus, and tuberculosis are resilient bacteria, and special concern about exposure may be warranted with these diseases. […] anthrax spores can last for years, […] tuberculosis is especially hardy, and the United States National Library of Medicine claims that tetanus can remain infectious for more than 40 years."
"Another bacterial disease that can be seen as a potential threat in historic cemetery excavations is cholera (Vibrio cholerae)"
"Viral diseases were also prevalent in most North American populations throughout the historic period. Viruses are completely dependent on living cells for reproduction. Although the anatomical structure of viruses make it unlikely that they could survive without living cells as hosts, they do have the potential to affect individuals excavating historic cemeteries."
"Smallpox is probably the most significant potential health risk arising from the excavation of historic cemeteries. The smallpox virus has essentially been eradicated and the vaccination is generally no longer performed, thus the release of smallpox organisms could be catastrophic."
"Chemical hazards associated with historic cemetery excavations include fluids used in embalming and materials used in coffin construction and decoration. In the United States, the mid-19th century saw the rapid rise, spread, and acceptance of a need for the body to be preserved as a necessary preliminary to interment. […] Early embalming fluids included alcohol, zinc and mercuric chloride, creosote, arsenic, sulfuric acid, and turpentine. Some of these substances pose little threat to individuals excavating or analyzing materials from historic cemeteries, but others have the potential to be quite hazardous. Many never degrade into harmless by-products and remain with the coffin and skeletal material or seep into the surrounding soils. Historic embalming practices are an issue for archaeologists excavating and analyzing remains from historic cemeteries."
"Arsenic is toxic and persistent, and the elemental form never degrades into harmless by-products. The arsenic that endures today in cemeteries can potentially harm archaeologists or others working in cemeteries, or individuals drinking contaminated ground water."
· http://www.bajr.org/documents/
"Crypt burials or later burials, especially in lead or solid wood coffins may also result in soft tissue preservation. This may include hair, fingernails and skin. These must be treated with caution for health and safety reasons."
“[…] archaeologists may inadvertently expose themselves and their colleagues to potentially harmful infectious organisms including those that ignited past epidemics”
· http://www.abc.net.au/rn/
"[…] there is potentially a problem: that if the cemetery is sited incorrectly, or managed incorrectly and you have a pathogenic material buried in the ground, in some situations and I want to stress that, I’m not trying to be alarmist here, but in some situations there could be migration of those pathogens."
"We’re talking about some pretty serious and nasty stuff. The main ones that come to mind are anthrax, botulism, tuberculosis, smallpox, Hepatitis A, cholera, typhoid. All the sorts of friendly organisms that you really don’t want to have hanging around, or to be resurfaced, or to move into an ecosystem via movement in groundwater."
"[…] we believe that in order to survive the virus must have a cellular host to be viable. Unfortunately that doesn’t appear to be the case. We have for instance, in the United Kingdom, resurfaced inactive smallpox spores which are 150 years old. Other viruses haven’t been investigated so this area is even more deficient in understanding than the bacterial side of things."
"Well as I said, the information that we have is quite scant but for instance the Bacillus anthrax – so that’s the bacterium that causes anthrax – we know that it can survive for 54 years in surface soil and it’s been found 200 years old in bone which has been buried only at a very shallow depth. The typhoid bacterium – Salmonella typhi – we know that it can survive 730 days in soil, 616 days in seawater and we’ve traced it already for 0.9 metres in soil. The issue of tracing how far it can move is very embryonic, we know very little indeed. The tuberculosis bacterium – Mycobacterium tuberculosis – 213 days it’s survived in soil but there’s an interesting case from Canada where some ill-fated sailors of the Franklin Expedition were exhumed and they’d been frozen for 138 years since death and in one of them they found tuberculosis bacteria, it wasn’t active but it was there. They were also able to culture something from the bowel of one of those sailors so that’s 138 years old."
Monday, January 19, 2009
City Council Races Heating Up 13 Hopefuls Jockey for 2 Seats in Feb. 24 Election by Lisa L. Colangelo - NY Daily News
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CANDIDATES FOR two vacant City Council seats in Queens are revving up their campaigns, pushing for donations and starting to spend cash as the Feb. 24 special election draws near.
According to documents filed last week with the city Campaign Finance Board, businessman Michael Ricatto tops the list, having already spent $96,190 in the race for the 32nd District slot.
Seven candidates are running for the seat held by Joseph Addabbo Jr., who was elected to the state Senate in November.
Ricatto has financed thousands of dollars in local newspaper ads out of his own deep pockets.
Local activist Eric Ulrich has spent $47,436 so far. Frank Gulluscio, a former top aide to Addabbo, has raised more than $40,000 but only spent about $5,800.
Former NYPD lieutenant Glenn DiResto has raised $8,196 and spent $3,644, while Democratic District Leader Geraldine Chapey has not spent any of the $21,760 she has raised.
Candidate Sam DiBernardo has elected not to participate in the public financing system. Candidate Lew Simon was unable to provide figures last week.
Six candidates have lined up to fill Councilman Hiram Monserrate's 21st District seat.
Julissa Ferreras, Monserrate's former chief of staff, is leading the pack in fund-raising. She received $50,772 and spent $27,456.
Democratic District Leader Francisco Moya has raised $38,518 and spent $16,781. Carlos Pena has raised $13,882 and not yet spent any of it.
Candidate Jose Eduardo Giraldo raised $19,600 and spent $12,990, George Dixon raised $11,545 and spent $2,005, and Angel Del Villar raised $2,977 and spent $4,938.
In the race for public advocate, Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) has maxed out on the fund-raising he can do for the Democratic primary election.
Public Advocate candidates can each spend as much as $3,850,000 for the primary, and Liu has already raised more than he can spend, based on his private contributions and his claimed public matching funds - a total of $4.6 million. Coming close to the same more-than-he-can-spend plateau is Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Sunnyside), who has raised a combined $3.5 million in private contributions and claimed matching funds.
With Frank Lombardi
Aqueduct Racino Plans Presented at CB 10 by Patricia Adams - Forum News
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Representatives from the Delaware North Companies made their awaited presentation on the proposed gaming package for Aqueduct Racetrack on Thursday. Ron Sultemeier, Vice President of Strategic Development for Delaware North led the discussion and used a Powerpoint presentation to give board members and residents a clear picture of what the company intends to do at Aqueduct.
Sultemeier was joined at the Community Board 10 meeting by Dan Gerrity, President, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway and Saratoga Harness Racing at the meeting. Also on hand was Joanne K. Adams, the Community Relations manager from NYRA. For the project, Delaware North will team with Saratoga Harness Racing and other partners including the Peebles Corporation and McKissack & McKissack to form the Aqueduct Gaming LLC Operating Entity.
Sultemeier began his discussion by emphasizing strong community involvement in the project to be accompanied by job and economic development. He also stressed the company’s commitment to focus on important aesthetic characteristics and very careful planning related to transportation, traffic and security. “The community has been waiting a long time for new development—our commitment is to build something you will be proud of,” Sultemeier said.
In addressing plans to deal with transportation and traffic issues related to the new facility, Sultemeier was very firm on the fact that every consideration will be taken to make sure that the utmost attention is paid to these components of the plan to avoid traffic congestion and all safety and security issues concerning transportation in and out of the facility. In total, Delaware North is intent on making a dynamic impact on the successful thoroughbred racing program and bringing great benefits to the community as a whole and the State of New York as a whole.
One point well made by the Delaware North representatives was that in the past, when record crowds lined the stands at Aqueduct, the facility saw many crowds numbering 50,000 or more. “This operation,” Sultemeier explained, “will see an estimated daily crowd of between 10,000 and 23,000, but those crowds will be spaced out through the day and night.
The focus of Aqueduct Gaming is to deliver world-class gaming and entertainment to Aqueduct Racetrack. In hopes of realizing the potential of the project quickly, all efforts are centered on beginning the generation of substantial revenue for the state as soon as possible through the use of the existing SEQR permit.
While the project would start out including the much talked about Video Lottery terminals, or slot machines, the overall vision is for expansion to a world class regional destination with hotel and conference facilities, restaurants, retail and entertainment options.
Development plans for such a facility would be integrated with transportation to provide seamless access to larger metro population and minimal impact to local traffic patterns. Specific features of the proposed Gaming and Entertainment would include a state-ofthe-art gaming floor with amenities expected as part of a regional casino destination, 185,000 square feet of gaming floor, approximately 4,500VLT’s, a 2,000-space parking garage and world class hospitality amenities.
Restaurant offerings would include a lobby feature bar, stage lounge, comprehensive branded food court featuring a grill, Italian, and bakery/coffee. Dining choices would feature a New York style-deli and a 25,000 square foot signature buffet with seating for 600.
Of primary concern to the Board and residents is the creation of jobs and revenue for the local community. Sultemeier offered a thorough explanation as to how the project will generate substantial revenue, jobs and overall economic development to benefit education while also supporting the thoroughbred racing industry.
“This project will create as many as 1,100 construction jobs and an additional 1,000 jobs at the gaming and entertainment facility. It is a $250 million project up front with a 30-year-franchise agreement,” said Sultemeier. “Over $170 million will be allocated to the facility alone.”
In addition to the creation of thousands of employment opportunities, Aqueduct Gaming will establish an employment and small Business Development Center which will host job fairs in coordination with local media outlets and community organizations.
Projections by Aqueduct Gaming are for total statutory payments to education and New York State Lottery of $10.3 billion during the 30-year term agreement and total payments to support New York State thoroughbred racing will be approximately $3.4 billion through the 30-year term.
While the primary focus of Aqueduct Gaming presently is to get things rolling with the state, there was also discussion about potential future operations that serve as naturally complementary to gaming operations including a resort hotel with 350-500 luxury rooms and a 3,000 to 5,000 square foot destination spa, a 15,000-30,000 square foot retail mall, additional restaurants, a 3,000 seat events center and a 60,000 square foot conference center.
To conclude the presentation, Ron Sultemeier outlined the next steps for an anxious audience. He said that immediate plans were to finish the final steps in the Memorandum of Understanding, begin the execution of a detailed development and construction timeline, establish the office/employment/small business center and very importantly to continue to build community partnerships. Once these remaining details have been settled it is expected that the actual construction phase will take 14 months to complete.
A mechanism is in place that will allow for community input as the project moves forward. Community Board 10 has designated nine community leaders to serve along with three representatives each from NYRA and Delaware North on the State Franchise Oversight Board’s Community Advisory panel for Aqueduct. In addition, Delaware North will be communicating with local groups on specific issues relating to the project as it proceeds.
“Delaware North has been forthcoming with information since their selection,” said Community Board 10 Chairperson Betty Braton following the meeting. “We look forward to the signing of the MOU with the State by Delaware North, and working with it to see Aqueduct become a much-needed economic engine for the region that enhances our local community at the same time."
Representatives from the Delaware North Companies made their awaited presentation on the proposed gaming package for Aqueduct Racetrack on Thursday. Ron Sultemeier, Vice President of Strategic Development for Delaware North led the discussion and used a Powerpoint presentation to give board members and residents a clear picture of what the company intends to do at Aqueduct.
Sultemeier was joined at the Community Board 10 meeting by Dan Gerrity, President, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway and Saratoga Harness Racing at the meeting. Also on hand was Joanne K. Adams, the Community Relations manager from NYRA. For the project, Delaware North will team with Saratoga Harness Racing and other partners including the Peebles Corporation and McKissack & McKissack to form the Aqueduct Gaming LLC Operating Entity.
Sultemeier began his discussion by emphasizing strong community involvement in the project to be accompanied by job and economic development. He also stressed the company’s commitment to focus on important aesthetic characteristics and very careful planning related to transportation, traffic and security. “The community has been waiting a long time for new development—our commitment is to build something you will be proud of,” Sultemeier said.
In addressing plans to deal with transportation and traffic issues related to the new facility, Sultemeier was very firm on the fact that every consideration will be taken to make sure that the utmost attention is paid to these components of the plan to avoid traffic congestion and all safety and security issues concerning transportation in and out of the facility. In total, Delaware North is intent on making a dynamic impact on the successful thoroughbred racing program and bringing great benefits to the community as a whole and the State of New York as a whole.
One point well made by the Delaware North representatives was that in the past, when record crowds lined the stands at Aqueduct, the facility saw many crowds numbering 50,000 or more. “This operation,” Sultemeier explained, “will see an estimated daily crowd of between 10,000 and 23,000, but those crowds will be spaced out through the day and night.
The focus of Aqueduct Gaming is to deliver world-class gaming and entertainment to Aqueduct Racetrack. In hopes of realizing the potential of the project quickly, all efforts are centered on beginning the generation of substantial revenue for the state as soon as possible through the use of the existing SEQR permit.
While the project would start out including the much talked about Video Lottery terminals, or slot machines, the overall vision is for expansion to a world class regional destination with hotel and conference facilities, restaurants, retail and entertainment options.
Development plans for such a facility would be integrated with transportation to provide seamless access to larger metro population and minimal impact to local traffic patterns. Specific features of the proposed Gaming and Entertainment would include a state-ofthe-art gaming floor with amenities expected as part of a regional casino destination, 185,000 square feet of gaming floor, approximately 4,500VLT’s, a 2,000-space parking garage and world class hospitality amenities.
Restaurant offerings would include a lobby feature bar, stage lounge, comprehensive branded food court featuring a grill, Italian, and bakery/coffee. Dining choices would feature a New York style-deli and a 25,000 square foot signature buffet with seating for 600.
Of primary concern to the Board and residents is the creation of jobs and revenue for the local community. Sultemeier offered a thorough explanation as to how the project will generate substantial revenue, jobs and overall economic development to benefit education while also supporting the thoroughbred racing industry.
“This project will create as many as 1,100 construction jobs and an additional 1,000 jobs at the gaming and entertainment facility. It is a $250 million project up front with a 30-year-franchise agreement,” said Sultemeier. “Over $170 million will be allocated to the facility alone.”
In addition to the creation of thousands of employment opportunities, Aqueduct Gaming will establish an employment and small Business Development Center which will host job fairs in coordination with local media outlets and community organizations.
Projections by Aqueduct Gaming are for total statutory payments to education and New York State Lottery of $10.3 billion during the 30-year term agreement and total payments to support New York State thoroughbred racing will be approximately $3.4 billion through the 30-year term.
While the primary focus of Aqueduct Gaming presently is to get things rolling with the state, there was also discussion about potential future operations that serve as naturally complementary to gaming operations including a resort hotel with 350-500 luxury rooms and a 3,000 to 5,000 square foot destination spa, a 15,000-30,000 square foot retail mall, additional restaurants, a 3,000 seat events center and a 60,000 square foot conference center.
To conclude the presentation, Ron Sultemeier outlined the next steps for an anxious audience. He said that immediate plans were to finish the final steps in the Memorandum of Understanding, begin the execution of a detailed development and construction timeline, establish the office/employment/small business center and very importantly to continue to build community partnerships. Once these remaining details have been settled it is expected that the actual construction phase will take 14 months to complete.
A mechanism is in place that will allow for community input as the project moves forward. Community Board 10 has designated nine community leaders to serve along with three representatives each from NYRA and Delaware North on the State Franchise Oversight Board’s Community Advisory panel for Aqueduct. In addition, Delaware North will be communicating with local groups on specific issues relating to the project as it proceeds.
“Delaware North has been forthcoming with information since their selection,” said Community Board 10 Chairperson Betty Braton following the meeting. “We look forward to the signing of the MOU with the State by Delaware North, and working with it to see Aqueduct become a much-needed economic engine for the region that enhances our local community at the same time."
Riders Say The A Train Is Still Mediocre - NY1
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Subway riders gave the A train a "C-minus" in the second annual report card survey - the same grade the line received in 2007.
Subway riders gave the A train a "C-minus" in the second annual report card survey - the same grade the line received in 2007. Riders sent in nearly 6,000 thousand report cards that graded 21 areas of service.
The highest grade went to the availability of MetroCard vending machines.
Customers on the A say they would like to see more improvements on wait time for trains, adequate room on board during rush hour, fewer delays and station announcements that are easy to hear.
The city transit president says improving services is a challenge because the A line is approximately 31 miles long.
UP FOR GRABS: Special Election Set for Addabbo’s Council Seat by Pete Davis - The Queens Courier
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It’s off to the races in south Queens with the special election to replace former City Councilmember turned State Senator Joseph Addabbo only seven weeks away.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg called for the special election in the 32nd City Council District to take place on Tuesday, February 24, and there is no shortage of candidates actively seeking the position to replace Addabbo.
At least seven candidates - former teacher and real estate executive Sam Di Bernardo, City University of New York (CUNY) professor Geraldine Chapey, retired NYPD Lieutenant Glenn DiResto, Community Board 6 District Manager Frank Gulluscio, businessperson Michael Ricatto, Democratic District Leader Lew Simon and Republican District Leader Eric Ulrich - have all expressed interest in the seat, and the campaigning is expected to intensify during the upcoming weeks.
While each of the candidates has a close connection and affinity to different neighborhoods inside the 32nd Council District, the special election is very different from a normal campaign starting with the shorter campaign season.
“There are so many variables that are going to come in, it’s going to come down to the person with the best pull operation and the best name recognition,” said Gulluscio, who many pundits deem the favorite after he received Addabbo’s endorsement for the seat.
All candidates are required to file 1,100 signatures - equal to five percent of the total votes cast in the 32nd City Council District during the last gubernatorial election - with the city’s Board of Elections (BOE) by midnight on January 15 in order to get their name on the ballot.
“We’re out there pounding the pavement trying to get the ample signatures,” said DiResto, who already has been told that another candidate plans to challenge his signatures.
If the BOE approves the candidates’ signatures, his name will appear on the ballot regardless of party affiliation - something very different from a general election where a candidate’s name is listed next to a political party. All of the candidates on the ballot will be listed as an Independent in the special election.
“It’s a great time,” said Ulrich, who said his campaign has been preparing for the race for nearly eight months is very happy with its position. “It’s very exciting. Everyone has worked very hard, and now we are going to see the fruits of our labor.”
Meanwhile, another element of the short campaign is fundraising, and Ulrich and Gulluscio lead the way in fundraising filed with the city’s Campaign Finance Board (CFB) - something required for the candidates to receive matching public funds. DiResto and Simon have both filed the paperwork with the CFB, but as of July 15, 2008 - the last reporting period - neither candidate reported any money raised.
If the candidates meet certain fundraising thresholds, they can qualify for a maximum of $88,500 in public funds from the CFB for the special election.
Ricatto, the newest addition to the already crowded field, said he planned to run for the seat in November expecting former State Senator Serphin Maltese to defeat Addabbo. However, the President of Ricatto Enterprises - which consists of seven different business interests - believes that his district and the city need his leadership and business acumen to help with the continued financial crisis.
“I think I could do an excellent job as a businessman with a businessman’s outlook in helping the city get over this rough time,” Ricatto said.
It’s off to the races in south Queens with the special election to replace former City Councilmember turned State Senator Joseph Addabbo only seven weeks away.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg called for the special election in the 32nd City Council District to take place on Tuesday, February 24, and there is no shortage of candidates actively seeking the position to replace Addabbo.
At least seven candidates - former teacher and real estate executive Sam Di Bernardo, City University of New York (CUNY) professor Geraldine Chapey, retired NYPD Lieutenant Glenn DiResto, Community Board 6 District Manager Frank Gulluscio, businessperson Michael Ricatto, Democratic District Leader Lew Simon and Republican District Leader Eric Ulrich - have all expressed interest in the seat, and the campaigning is expected to intensify during the upcoming weeks.
While each of the candidates has a close connection and affinity to different neighborhoods inside the 32nd Council District, the special election is very different from a normal campaign starting with the shorter campaign season.
“There are so many variables that are going to come in, it’s going to come down to the person with the best pull operation and the best name recognition,” said Gulluscio, who many pundits deem the favorite after he received Addabbo’s endorsement for the seat.
All candidates are required to file 1,100 signatures - equal to five percent of the total votes cast in the 32nd City Council District during the last gubernatorial election - with the city’s Board of Elections (BOE) by midnight on January 15 in order to get their name on the ballot.
“We’re out there pounding the pavement trying to get the ample signatures,” said DiResto, who already has been told that another candidate plans to challenge his signatures.
If the BOE approves the candidates’ signatures, his name will appear on the ballot regardless of party affiliation - something very different from a general election where a candidate’s name is listed next to a political party. All of the candidates on the ballot will be listed as an Independent in the special election.
“It’s a great time,” said Ulrich, who said his campaign has been preparing for the race for nearly eight months is very happy with its position. “It’s very exciting. Everyone has worked very hard, and now we are going to see the fruits of our labor.”
Meanwhile, another element of the short campaign is fundraising, and Ulrich and Gulluscio lead the way in fundraising filed with the city’s Campaign Finance Board (CFB) - something required for the candidates to receive matching public funds. DiResto and Simon have both filed the paperwork with the CFB, but as of July 15, 2008 - the last reporting period - neither candidate reported any money raised.
If the candidates meet certain fundraising thresholds, they can qualify for a maximum of $88,500 in public funds from the CFB for the special election.
Ricatto, the newest addition to the already crowded field, said he planned to run for the seat in November expecting former State Senator Serphin Maltese to defeat Addabbo. However, the President of Ricatto Enterprises - which consists of seven different business interests - believes that his district and the city need his leadership and business acumen to help with the continued financial crisis.
“I think I could do an excellent job as a businessman with a businessman’s outlook in helping the city get over this rough time,” Ricatto said.
Gulluscio Fundraiser Donates to Local Food Pantries - Photo by Michael O'Kane - Queens Chronicle
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More than 200 people attended a fundraiser held last week by Howard Beach Democratic District Leader Frank Gulluscio, one of seven candidates in the special election for the 32nd Council District seat.
The event, at which members of the community were present while other political leaders were in Albany and Washington D.C., was held at the Roma View catering hall in Howard Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Each person who attended was asked to make a $10 donation and to bring a can of non-perishable food to be donated to local food pantries.
More than 200 people attended a fundraiser held last week by Howard Beach Democratic District Leader Frank Gulluscio, one of seven candidates in the special election for the 32nd Council District seat.The event, at which members of the community were present while other political leaders were in Albany and Washington D.C., was held at the Roma View catering hall in Howard Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Each person who attended was asked to make a $10 donation and to bring a can of non-perishable food to be donated to local food pantries.
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