Saturday, June 30, 2012

The official bank of Nassau OTB, Andrew Cuomo, and Teamster Local 707

1 of 12
Summit Gives Relief, Not Results
2 of 12
No Comfort in RIM's Cash Cushion
3 of 12
AB InBev's Mexican Buy Looks Frothy
4 of 12
Australia's Mystery Shopper
5 of 12
Supremes Get Mixed Review From Health-Care Investors
6 of 12
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Stocks Surge on Fed Comments
7 of 12
Fee Battle Is Breaking Bad News for AMC
8 of 12
Diamond in the Rough on Libor
9 of 12
PLAY

CBS's Growth Outpaces Viacom
10 of 12
Big Jackpot Lures Poker Investors
11 of 12
Facebook IPO Hasn't Hit Nasdaq Volumes
12 of 12
PLAY

World Economy: Rough Road Ahead

MARKETS
Updated June 28, 2012, 3:58 p.m. ET

Vatican Peels Back Veil on Its Bank

By STACY MEICHTRY

Getty Images

FOCUS OF ATTENTION: The Holy See offered a rare glimpse inside the Vatican's bank Thursday, an effort to persuade regulators that it is committed to cracking down on money laundering. Above, Swiss Guards in St. Peter's Square in April.

VATICAN CITY—The Vatican bank offered a rare glimpse inside its fortified headquarters as part of the Holy See's efforts to persuade financial regulators and the public that the secretive institution is committed to cracking down on money laundering.
A retinue of Holy See bankers guided journalists through the medieval tower that houses the Institute for Religious Works, the bank's official name, while rebutting allegations by Italian prosecutors that bank practices violate Italy's money-laundering laws by allegedly masking the identity of its clients.
The tour was tightly choreographed, coming at a particularly delicate time for the Vatican. The Holy See is bracing for a ruling from the Council of Europe on whether the Vatican bank is compliant with international standards for fighting money laundering and terrorism. Reporters were barred from bringing cameras and recorders inside Vatican walls, and written questions were submitted in advance of a briefing.
"We finally want to pull back the veil," said Paolo Cipriani, the Vatican bank's managing director. Flanked by a row of stone-faced lieutenants and potted plants, Mr. Cipriani conceded he was "nervous" as he moved through a PowerPoint presentation on the bank.
The operations of the Vatican bank have long been shrouded in secrecy. Shielded by diplomatic immunity, bank officials for decades declined to cooperate with investigations by Italian authorities, including a probe into the 1982 death of Roberto Calvi, an Italian banker with links to the Vatican whose body was found hanging under a bridge in London.
More recently, the bank has been thrust to the front lines of a power struggle between Vatican officials who are at odds over the Holy See's efforts to clean up its finances. In May, Italian economist Ettore Gotti-Tedeschi was ousted as the bank's chairman three years after he was tapped to overhaul the bank. Italian newspapers have brimmed with reports of infighting among prelates that the Vatican says were based on documents leaked by the pope's butler.

Associated Press

Italian prosecutors allege that the Vatican's bank violates money-laundering laws.

Mr. Cipriani described the Vatican bank as a financially cautious organization that has €6 billion ($7.48 billion) in assets, including gold reserves at the U.S. Federal Reserve. The bank invests less than 5% of its portfolio in riskier securities like stocks, Mr. Cipriani said.
Messrs. Cipriani and Gotti-Tedeschi are being investigated by Italian prosecutors for allegedly violating Italy's antimoney-laundering laws. Prosecutors allege the executives allowed the bank to circulate tens of millions of euros through encrypted money transfers that made it difficult for authorities to identify who was behind the transactions.
Mr. Cipriani denied the Vatican bank encrypted its transfers. He also noted that one of the transactions probed by investigators, a €20 million transfer the Vatican ordered through a J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. account, didn't involve clients. Instead, the bank ordered the transfer to purchase German bonds, he said. Mr. Gotti-Tedeschi has denied any wrongdoing. Mr. Cipriani said J.P. Morgan unilaterally closed the account used by the Vatican bank after the two sides clashed over how much information the Vatican needed to disclose about its activities. The banker said he responded to J.P. Morgan's requests for information in an "exhaustive manner." The Vatican bank declined to answer some of J.P. Morgan queries, because questions went beyond legal requirements for disclosure, Mr. Cipriani said. A spokeswoman for J.P. Morgan declined to comment.
Write to Stacy Meichtry at stacy.meichtry@wsj.com

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Thanks for the help. The item’s below. I’d be happy to mail you a copy, if you give me a mailing address.

Claude Solnik

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Long Island Business News

2150 Smithtown Ave.

Ronkonkoma, NY 11779-7348

Home > LI Confidential > Stop scratching on holidays

Stop scratching on holidays
Published: June 1, 2012

Off Track Betting in New York State has been racing into a crisis called shrinking revenue. Some people have spitballed a solution: Don’t close on holidays.
New York State Racing Law bars racing on Christmas, Easter and Palm Sunday, and the state has ruled OTBs can’t handle action on those days, even though they could easily broadcast races from out of state.
“You should be able to bet whenever you want,” said Jackson Leeds, a Nassau OTB employee who makes an occasional bet. He added some irrefutable logic: “How is the business going to make money if you’re not open to take people’s bets?”
Elias Tsekerides, president of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, said OTB is open on Greek Orthodox Easter and Palm Sunday.
“I don’t want discrimination,” Tsekerides said. “They close for the Catholics, but open for the Greek Orthodox? It’s either open for all or not open.”
OTB officials have said they lose millions by closing on Palm Sunday alone, with tracks such as Gulfstream, Santa Anita, Turf Paradise and Hawthorne running.
One option: OTBs could just stay open and face the consequences. New York City OTB did just that back in 2003. The handle was about $1.5 million – and OTB was fined $5,000.
Easy money.

Friday, June 29, 2012

no betting or racing when andrew cuomo is praying he will be king

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/70831/nyra-unveils-marketing-director-to-panel



NYRA Unveils Marketing Director to Panel
By Tom Precious
Updated: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 1:03 PM
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 4:37 PM

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With the state government about to take control of its operations, the New York Racing Association on June 26 unveiled its new marketing director to a state financial control panel.

Rodnell Workman, a former executive for Madison Square Garden and the New York Giants, was presented to the state’s Franchise Oversight Board--a panel that has shown increasing concerns over NYRA’s ability to market its product.

“We are very fortunate we could attract someone with his experience and talent,” said Ellen McClain, who was recently appointed NYRA president following the firing of Charles Hayward over the racing group’s takeout troubles that cost bettors more than $8.5 million.

The appearance of Workman before the oversight board came a week after state lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo agreed on legislation to have the state take over the NYRA board for at least the next three years. The new board--which will be dominated by appointees of Cuomo--has yet to be named, though most observers expect it will be in place before the start of NYRA’s Saratoga meet.

If NYRA executives and the current board are feeling in limbo, they aren’t showing it--with plans moving ahead for $20 million in capital spending, including new dormitories at Belmont, and the development of a new marketing strategy. In a bit of NYRA tradition at the oversight meetings, NYRA executives were also peppered for more specifics on everything from capital construction timetables to a recent sole source contract with an outside public relations firm.

The initial marketing push included a recent television ad campaign--centered around the recent Belmont Stakes (gr. I)--that saw NYRA spend its first dollars on television in years. NYRA officials did not reveal how much two separate ad purchases cost and could not immediately say what company produced the ads.

As track officials around the country have been trying for years, Workman said his goal is to attract new customers--led by women and younger people--to tracks.

“There’s a bright future ahead, both for NYRA and horse racing in the state,” Workman told the state panel charged with overseeing NYRA’s finances.

But members of the oversight panel suggested Workman’s task will not be easy as, say, promoting a National Football League team.

“It seems the principle focus has got to be on the track getting a new generation of fans," Richard Aurelio, an oversight board member, told NYRA officials. "That should be the major priority of any marketing campaign. The sport is dying. Every time you look at the obituary page you’re losing a racing fan.”

“You can’t let the Triple Crown be the only event for the industry for the year,” he added.

NYRA officials did not immediately provide Workman’s salary.

Given the recent move by the Cuomo administration and lawmakers to assume control of the NYRA board, one oversight board member wondered aloud at the beginning of the meeting about NYRA’s state of current operations--and who is in charge.

“I’m president and chief operating officer and I’m running the company at this time,” McClain said. She added that NYRA executives are “ready to go” with a number of marketing and other ideas to present to the new state-dominated board when it is formed. The state board takes over when a majority of its government-appointed members are selected; the new 17-member board, down from the current 25 members, will include five members selected by the existing NYRA board.

Whether the new panel will keep on the current NYRA executive team, or come in with a new slate, remains uncertain. (NYRA had drawn the anger of the oversight panel when it appointed McClain before the state Inspector General’s office completed its probe of the takeout scandal, including which NYRA executives may have known about that the takeout levels on exotic bets were being overcharged).

Following the meeting, McClain declined to discuss the complications of running a company in a limbo status, or to say if any major decisions are being put on hold until the state takes over NYRA’s operations.

But in the oversight meeting, McClain outlined a number of projects moving ahead, including the $20 million in capital spending and efforts to negotiate several new contracts, including NYRA’s existing tote contract that expires in the fall. She did say NYRA is awaiting the new board’s selection before deciding on major capital projects beyond this year.

McClain said the recent Aqueduct meet saw the daily average handle rise 14% over the previous year and average field size grow by a half horse per race. In the 37 days of the current Belmont meet, she said handle has totaled $145 million, which she described as “on track” to help NYRA achieve its budget numbers.

McClain said a task force appointed to look into the high number of equine deaths during the winter at Aqueduct is also nearing completion of its report.

“They’re not at an above average level, not like we saw at Aqueduct, so things seem to be at a good place,” McClain told the board of equine injuries in the current Belmont meet.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/70831/nyra-unveils-marketing-director-to-panel#ixzz1zE6w3rbh

old news

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Meeting of the Franchise Oversight Board

Location: Home > Franchise Oversight Board Meeting

A Meeting of the Franchise Oversight Board will be held on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 131 of the State Capitol.

Meeting Date:	Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Time:	1:30 p.m.
Location:	New York State Capitol, Room 131
Video Conference Location:	NYC Office of NYS Empire State Development Corporation 37th Floor, 633 Third Avenue NYC, NY
On-Demand Webcast:	Windows Media Real Media

If members of the public are interested in attending the meeting at the NYC video conference location, please call (518) 402-2432 or (518) 474-2936 by 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 26, 2012 in order to arrange security clearance for entry into the meeting.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Mike Watchmaker should have to listen to the OTB talking heads

and the Union talking heads including but not limited to Barry Yomtov formerly President of deceased Teamsters Local 858 which represented NYC OTB Managers of which he was one and his new boss, Kevin McCaffrey of Teamsters Local 707 to whom he sold the compelled cash flow of Nassau OTB members (also represented by Local 858) in return for a paid position as Local 707 Business Agent.
Plenty of political geezers on the list of OTBs retirees?

http://www.drf.com/blogs/racings-older-fanbase

I saw a report yesterday (Tuesday) on bloodhorse.com on the NYRA presenting its new marketing director to the Franchise Oversight Board, the New York state entity that, as its title suggests, oversees the NYRA.
What struck me about this report was not who the new appointee was (for the record, he is Rodnell Workman, a former executive for Madison Square Garden and the New York Giants). What caught my eye was a quote in the middle of the piece from Richard Aurelio, an oversight board member, speaking about what he perceives to be the difficulty marketing Thoroughbred racing.
“It seems the principal focus has got to be on the track getting a new generation of fans,” Aurelio was quoted as saying. “That should be the major priority of any marketing campaign. The sport is dying. Every time you look at the obituary page you’re losing a racing fan.”
Maybe it’s a failing on my part, but I must admit, this sentiment makes me angry. Here’s why:
I was hopelessly bitten by the racing bug at a young age. It was partially in my blood. My father was a day/night flat, harness, and greyhound bettor, as well as a fancier of certain card games. But my interest focused right in on Thoroughbred racing. I was smitten by the history of the sport. But I was really lured in by the magic of past performances, which tell such a big story in such a tiny little space, and by obvious extension, attracted to the intellectual pursuit that is handicapping.
Even though it was obvious very early on that I was a goner, it did not stop well-intentioned folks from trying to steer me in the “right” direction. I remember vividly one early summer day at Suffolk Downs when, in the absence of my father (he must have been up at the windows making a bet), a friend of his put his arm around my shoulder and said:
“Take a look around (the grandstand). What do you see?”
I told him what I saw. “I see a bunch of old (near 60-something) guys,” I said.
“Exactly,” my dad’s friend said. “And in 10 to 15 years they’ll all be dead, and so will this game.”
That was well over 40 years ago.
My father’s friend lacked tact, but I do think in his way, he meant well. It might seem odd now, but this was a time when there was still a stigma attached to going to the track. Much of the general population thought people who went to the track and gambled were low class and shiftless, and akin to circus people, no offense to circus people. But the point dad’s friend was trying to make (obviously incorrectly) was this game was best avoided because it had no future. Its patrons were old, and it didn’t look like there was anyone around to replace them when they moved on to the big track in the sky.
This was the first time I heard this. But it turns out this line had been around for a long time even back then. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the last time I heard it, either. As evidenced by the bloodhorse.com report, this canard somehow still has legs, which is why it is so maddening to hear a person in a position of authority perpetuate it.
No one, certainly not me, is suggesting that the cultivation of a younger fan base isn’t worthwhile. Of course it is. And if you get lucky and lock a few younger fans in, you will have a group of fans you can rely on for decades – providing they are treated halfway decently along the way. But to infer that aiming young is the only hope is absurd. The game might be contracting, but it is not dying. Even in slumping times, annual total handle is around $10 billion. That’s not dying.
While it is true that Thoroughbred racing is in a far different position than it was in 40-odd years ago, primarily because folks have other options for disposable income earmarked for gambling, I believe one thing remains true: For most people, Thoroughbred racing is an acquired taste. In most cases, you have to be at a certain station in life to have the maturity to appreciate and accept the intellectual challenge of handicapping. Plus, you have to have the disposable income, and, almost as critically, the time to do something about it. Because of that, the audience the game should be targeting at least as vigorously as the young crowd is that group of 40- to 50-somethings. This is the group that is more likely to actually patronize the game once or twice a month as opposed to once or twice a year. The kids are grown, careers are established. They have the time.
To say that Thoroughbred racing is dying because its audience is older is far too simplistic, and betrays a lack of nuanced understanding of the game. Thoroughbred racing has always had an older audience. And it’s pretty scary that at least one member of the Franchise Oversight Board apparently doesn’t know that.

Dear Teamsters Local 707 President Kevin McCaffrey:

Please immediately supply all Nassau OTB members of Teamsters Local 707with written documentation of the purposes of Code 38A deduction of $1.00 taken from their paycheck. While Code 39 is for "union P/T Member," Nasau OTB Union members have never been informed in writing of what their compelled Code 38A is used for.

As you know Nassau OTB employee Gloria Moran did collect sufficient signatures to file with PERB to have a free, fair, open and honest election, but chose not to do so. Teamsters Local 707 acquired the cash flow of Teamsters Local 858 without a vote of the members. The President of Teamsters Local 858 Barry Yomtov, once a New York City OTB Manager, was made a Local 707 Business Agent.

Political Insider Interview: Lindenhurst Village ... - LIpolitics.com

www.lipolitics.com/.../political-insider-interview-lindenhurst-village-t...

May 29, 2012 – Kevin served as Chairman of the planning Board in Lindenhurst prior to being elected to Village Trustee in 1990.

Clarence Thomas and Kirland and Ellis proudly present Wendy Long Esq.

Long is a current member of the Board of Trustees of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY. She is an active member of the Church of Our Saviour in Manhattan and serves as a Roman Catholic catechism teacher.^[18]
^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_E._Long}

Church of Our Saviour, NYC

www.oursaviournyc.org/

Sep 18, 2011 – Church of Our Saviour, New York City. dark-red-line-500x1.jpg christ_pantokrator.jpg The Rev. George William Rutler, S.T.D.. Pastor Richard E.
Dear Father George F Rutler:
Please help see that workers and bettors are free to do as they please. My employer Nassau OTB, only closes on Roman Catholic holy days, and not Greek Orthodox holy days. The NY State Senate candidate Wendy E Long Esq. teaches at your church. I have repeatedly petitioned the New York State Racing and Wagering Board to ask the Attorney General for a Formal Opinion.
Sincerely yours,

I hereby Petition the New York Racing and Wagering Board to immediately ask Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for a FORMAL OPINION to answer the following questions:

1. Does NY PML Sec 109 formerly Sec 105 apply to my employer Nassau OTB?
2. Is NY PML Sec 109 formerly Sec 105 constitutionally defensible?
3. Does NY PML Sec 109 formerly Sec 105 violate the rights of Nassau County Bettors secured by NY Const. Art. 1, Sec. 3?
4. Is NY PML Sec 109 formerly Sec 105 vague, indefinite and or overly broad as the Gregorian and Julian Calendars do not define the same Sunday to be Easter Sunday in all years?

With tracks running all across the United States every day of the year, there is no reason bettors should not be able to bet the same number of days that they can buy a New York Lottery ticket, every day of the year. The slot machines in NY (aka VLTs) are open every day of the year. Nassau OTB sells and cashes New York Lottery tickets.

Sincerely yours,

-

Thanks for the help. The item’s below. I’d be happy to mail you a copy, if you give me a mailing address.

Claude Solnik

(631) 913-4244

Long Island Business News

2150 Smithtown Ave.

Ronkonkoma, NY 11779-7348

Home > LI Confidential > Stop scratching on holidays

Stop scratching on holidays
Published: June 1, 2012

Open On 1st Palm Sunday, Otb Rakes In $2m - New York Daily News

articles.nydailynews.com/2003.../18220335_1_racing-and-wagering-...

Open On 1st Palm Sunday, Otb Rakes In $2m. BY JERRY BOSSERT DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER. Monday, April 14, 2003. New York City Off-Track Betting ...

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Open On 1st Palm Sunday, Otb Rakes In $2m

BY JERRY BOSSERT DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Monday, April 14, 2003

New York City Off-Track Betting made history yesterday, taking bets on Palm Sunday.
Since 1973, when Sunday racing was made legal in New York State, race tracks have been allowed to operate every Sunday except for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.
While Aqueduct kept its doors shut, NYCOTB had its betting parlors open despite a letter from the New York State Racing and Wagering Board stating that it couldn't do so.
"We're not a race track," NYCOTB president Ray Casey said. "OTB's business is a simulcasting business."
Bettors responded by wagering an estimated $2 million yesterday on tracks from around the country, including Keeneland in Kentucky and Gulfstream Park in Florida.

GOP candidates ready for Senate primary

Published: June 21, 2012 9:59 PM
By YANCEY ROY yancey.roy@newsday.com

Photo credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas | U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in file photo. (Feb. 24, 2012)

Web links

U.S. Senate race contributions on LI

ALBANY -- Just days before the primary election, three Republicans battling for the right to take on U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) are striving to carve out distinctions and mount the equivalent of a fourth-quarter rally.
With surveys showing no clear favorite, U.S. Rep. Bob Turner (R-Rockaway Point) is arguing that he's the most electable Republican and the only one who can win the support of moderate Democrats. Lawyer Wendy Long is stressing her adherence to conservative tenets and endorsements from anti-tax activists. And Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos is mixing his conservative beliefs with his business background and immigrant-success story.
With the primary set for Tuesday, "it's anybody's ballgame," said Republican political consultant Michael Dawidziak.
"This is like a football game that gets decided in the fourth quarter -- because there has been not much happening in the first three quarters," Dawidziak said, adding it's probably too late in the race to make an effective advertising blitz, so the outcome will hinge on some old-fashioned campaign techniques.
"Whoever has a good mail [outreach] program, a good phone program, is probably going be the person to win this," Dawidziak said.

Similar issues
So far, the three candidates have made only slight impressions about what distinguishes them from their rivals, analysts said.
In the one debate during the race, the candidates said they wanted to improve the business climate and reduce spending. They all said they would favor natural gas drilling in New York.
Turner differed from the others in refusing to pledge to never put tax hikes "on the table" in congressional budget discussions. Also unlike the others, he said he wouldn't favor a proposal to require states to honor concealed weapon permits from other states.
"I have emphasized that politics is the art of the practical," Turner said in a later interview. "We have to get things done. I'm a practical business type."
Turner is a former television executive who splashed on the political scene by pulling a huge upset to replace disgraced U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner in a heavily Democratic Brooklyn-Queens district. He's trying to use that win to persuade Republicans to back him.
"I'm telling people . . . you need to do well in (New York) City and you need to bring some Democrats across," Turner said.
He acknowledged that's counter to the approach of Maragos and Long, who are trying to position themselves as the most conservative, and that it might hurt him in the primary.
"I think in a primary, ideology might be more important than some practicality," Turner said. "But we have to keep our eyes the big prize here."
Turner spent 40 years in television, serving as chief executive of Pearson Plc as well as other companies. The shows he was involved in bringing to air include "Baywatch," "Family Feud" and "The Rush Limbaugh Show."
Long has the endorsement of the state Conservative Party and anti-tax activist Grover Norquist, as well as the most endorsements from Republican county leaders and elected officials. She has signed Norquist's anti-tax pledge in regard to reducing the federal deficit.
"You know where I stand on this: I just think that we can't ever put those on the table," Long said to Turner during the debate. "Your willingness to put them on the table sounds to me sort of like the policies of Barack Obama and Kirsten Gillibrand."

Same-sex marriage, taxes
In a segment of "Yes or No" questions, Long was the lone one of the three to say she wouldn't attend a same-sex wedding on principle -- although Long and Turner also said they opposed New York's gay marriage law.
Long has made appearances on Fox News and conservative radio talk shows. A Manhattan resident, she was born in New Hampshire and graduated from Dartmouth College. There, she worked on the Dartmouth Review, described as a controversial, sharp-elbowed conservative student newspaper.
She worked for two Republican senators in Washington, then became a private attorney, working as a clerk for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas along the way. She later headed the Judicial Confirmation Network, which promotes conservative judges for the U.S. Supreme Court and opposes liberal candidates.
Like Turner, Maragos touts his decade of business experience -- 35 years in finance and banking. He said he provides the best "vision of what needs to be done to fix our economy, to put people back to work."
He calls for a simplified tax code, one that lowers corporate taxes -- but doesn't let companies avoid paying altogether as some do now. He said the nation needs to achieve "energy independence" within 10 years.
Born in Greece, Maragos' family moved to Montreal when he was nine. After college, he came to work in the United States and became a citizen in 1985. He led his own financial services company for 20 years before being elected Nassau County comptroller in 2009.
A Siena College poll taken just before the debate showed Turner with the support of 16 percent of Republican voters, Long with 11 percent and Maragos 3 percent. But the poll didn't track "likely voters," a more reliable measure. And because 70 percent are undecided makes predictions risky, pollsters said.
That also makes each candidate's effort during the final days the most important factor.
"It's all about getting out the vote," Maragos said, "and that's what we're focused on, with a grassroots network we've built throughout the state."

* §  109.  Supplementary  regulatory   powers   of   the   commission.
  Notwithstanding  any  inconsistent  provision  of  law,  the  commission
  through its rules and regulations or  in  allotting  dates  for  racing,
  simulcasting  or in licensing race meetings at which pari-mutuel betting
  is permitted shall be authorized to:
    1. permit racing at which pari-mutuel betting is conducted on  any  or
  all  dates from the first day of January through the thirty-first day of
  December, inclusive of Sundays but exclusive of  December  twenty-fifth,
  Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday; and
    2. fix minimum and maximum charges for admission at any race meeting.
    * NB Effective October 1, 2012

She stomped the Greek and has is not to be believed!

She should know that NY PML Sec 105/109 violates the rights of NY Bettors.
She is free to teach about her Easter Sunday in Sunday School, but she should know that NY State can't close Nassau OTB only on Roman Catholic Easter Sunday in preference to Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday.
Long and Gillibrand are both lawyers who care not about the constitution of the State of NY see NY Const. ARt. 1, Sec. 3.

HI-

Thanks for the help. The item’s below. I’d be happy to mail you a copy, if you give me a mailing address.

Claude Solnik

(631) 913-4244

Long Island Business News

2150 Smithtown Ave.

Ronkonkoma, NY 11779-7348

Home > LI Confidential > Stop scratching on holidays

Stop scratching on holidays
Published: June 1, 2012

WENDY LONG FOR UNITED STATES SENATE

Connect with Wendy

"I am asking for the support of
every man and woman in the
state of New York who believes
in the limits of government and
the possibilities of freedom."

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Local 707s betting members have rights secured by NY Const. Art. 1, Sec. 3

Political Insider Interview: Lindenhurst Village Trustee Kevin McCaffrey

Tue, May 29, 2012

Political Insider Interview

Why did you initially run for office?
It was an outgrowth of being involved in my community and my upbringing. My mother and father were always involved in the community and my uncle was a two term New York State Supreme Court Justice. When my wife Julie and I moved into a new neighborhood we met our neighbor who was the vice president of our local civic association. We thought it was a great way to meet our new neighbors so we joined and got involved. Before I knew it, I was the President of the Meridale Park Civic Association and a Republican Committeeman for my neighborhood. Someone thought I might make a good candidate so I was asked to run and I accepted and won.
Before I got involved, I was one of the people who just complained about the way things were. I wanted to be someone like my parents and my uncle who stepped forward and gave of their time and talents to make their community a better place to live.
How many years have you been in office?
I was first elected in 1990 and have been re-elected to 5 four year terms since then.
That would make you the longest serving trustee in Lindenhurst history, correct? What do you believe is the reason the people of Lindenhurst have entrusted in this position for so long?
Yes, I have served on the Village Board for 22 years. I believe the next longest serving member was for 16 years.
I believe I am reflective of my community. Lindenhurst is a blue collar town and that is where I come from. I also share the same values as many of our residents who are involved in youth sports, community groups and Church working to make our community a better place to live.
Also part of my longevity is the company I keep. I have worked with some very good Mayors who share a similar vision for Lindenhurst and work hard with all the Board members to achieve that vision.
What are some of your proudest municipal accomplishments?
One of the most visible things is the Village Square on the corner of Wellwood and Hoffman. A fire destroyed the buildings on the corner and we acted quickly to condemn the property and work with Suffolk County to acquire the property through their open spaces program at no cost to the Village and make it a beautiful park in the heart of our Village.
My biggest accomplishment is not so visible unless you are looking at your tax bill. I work very hard to provide the best, most efficient municipal and public safety services at the lowest cost possible. People think if you live in the Village you are paying an extra tax. The truth is Village residents pay less in their overall tax bill when garbage and fire district fees and other levies are added in. I have been working at this for my entire time on the board and it is an accomplishment you can never get complacent about.

What do you do at the Teamsters?
I am the President of Teamsters Local 707, a position I held since 2000. From 1995 to 2000 I was the Secretary Treasurer and before that I was a shop steward and truck driver for Roadway Express.
As the President I am responsible for a 2800 person Local Union representing a diverse group of people from truck drivers to Nassau County OTB workers. I am responsible for negotiating and administrating all our contracts and I am also involved with many national contracts covering tens of thousands of workers across the country.
In addition, I serve as the administrator of our pension and medical funds, serving over 4500 active and retired members. I have been elected to six 3 year terms since 1995 with the Teamsters.
One word to describe The Village of Lindenhurst. Mayor Brennan.
Genuine
Tell us, when you not politicking, what you like to do for fun.
Getting elected to both your jobs, does not leave a lot of free time. But I do like to exercise, hitting the gym five to six times a week although it isn’t always fun. I gave up softball a few years ago but still enjoy a round of golf whenever I get a chance.
BIO
I was born in Queens and grew up in Massapequa, graduating from Berner HS. I attended Farmingdale State College before taking a summer job on a moving truck which became the start of my career with the Teamsters. I soon went to work for Roadway Express as a truck driver, eventually becoming shop steward.
My wife Julie and I got married in 1984 and moved to Lindenhurst. I became President of the Meridale Park Civic Association in 1989. I served as Chairman of the planning Board in Lindenhurst prior to being elected to Village Trustee in 1990.
In 1994 I was elected Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 707 and President in 2000, the position I hold today. I also serve as a Trustee and the administrator of the pension and welfare funds for the Union. In addition, I serve on the National Negotiating committees and Grievance panels for the National Master Freight Agreement and UPS Freight Agreements.
I have the Certified Employee Benefit Specialists designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School of Business. I am 2 classes short of finishing my Bachelors degree from Empire State College.
I am married for 28 years to my wife Julie and we have a 25 year old son Michael and a 22 year old daughter Katie.
I am fortunate, in both my jobs I have an opportunity to do what I like doing, working with people. I enjoy interacting with people on all levels from truck drivers on the loading dock to investment managers, lawyers and accountants. There is no greater satisfaction for me than working hard to improve the lives of my members and the residents of my community. It is something I never get tired of doing.

I-

Thanks for the help. The item’s below. I’d be happy to mail you a copy, if you give me a mailing address.

Claude Solnik

(631) 913-4244

Long Island Business News

2150 Smithtown Ave.

Ronkonkoma, NY 11779-7348

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Stop scratching on holidays
Published: June 1, 2012

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Stop scratching on holidays Published: June 1, 2012

Stop scratching on holidays
Published: June 1, 2012

Stop scratching on holidays
Published: June 1, 2012

Stop scratching on holidays
Published: June 1, 2012

Stop scratching on holidays
Published: June 1, 2012