BAN OF AERIAL SPRAYING OF ALUMINUM IN SUFFOLK TO BE HEARD by LEGISLATURE

    Look up in the sky, its a bird its a plane...yes it is a plane, dozens of them spraying poison over our land, water and citizens.  Who is doing this and how are they getting away with it?  These "chemtrails" as they are called are made by drone aircraft spraying pulverized aluminum, barium and strontium.  Perhaps this is so in the future the only seeds that will grow are the Genetically Modified seeds created by Monsanto that are curiously and conveniently aluminum resistant.  This is a global threat as they are "seeding" the clouds not only all across North America, but also in Europe and Asia.

Please pass this along, plan to attend and write your Suffolk County Legislature. Dec. 6th The hearing will be held at the Riverhead Legislative Auditorium, Evans K. Griffing Building, 300 Center Drive in Riverhead, NY at 2:30 pm.

We need to mobilize public support and interest in this vital situation. Just look up in the sky you will see the chemtrails or "stratospheric engineering" as the government likes to call it. . To ward off global warming these metals are being sprayed in the sky to create denser clouds. They are contaminating water, soil and rain water, even snow.

Help Stop the Secret Farm Bill | Environmental Working Group

Help Stop the Secret Farm Bill | Environmental Working Group

Groups Rally to Push “Don’t Drill the Delaware”

Moratorium Holds on Gas Drilling and Fracking
As Delaware River Basin Commission Cancels Vote to Allow Drilling

West Trenton, New Jersey – When the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) cancelled its meeting set for Monday November 21 – about whether to open the Delaware River Watershed to gas drilling and fracking – a loud cheer was heard throughout the Delaware River Watershed.  Then those who are determined to keep the Delaware River from being drilled rolled up their sleeves and put their collective shoulder against the wheel to make certain that the DRBC stalemate is turned into a permanent victory for the River and its communities.

A Rally for 11:00 am, Monday, November 21 has been called to bring together the community of voices
that has led to this moment and reaffirmed the hope that drilling and fracking can be kept out of this sensitive Watershed, water supply for over 15 million people.

The Rally will feature writer and director Josh Fox www.gaslandthemovie from HBO and
www.savethedelawareriver.org   Mark Ruffalo; and actress and activist Debra Winger.  Representatives of constituency groups that have worked to convince the DRBC voting members to vote against drilling and fracking, activists and leaders will rally for the next steps that need to be taken.

On the site where the DRBC would have cast the vote that will define the Delaware River Watershed today and into the future - the War Memorial in Trenton, NJ –community, environmental, and
constituency groups will gather.  They will join the most famous faces of this struggle to drive home the message “Don’t Drill the Delaware” to the remaining members of the DRBC – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, President Barack Obama, represented by the Army Corps of Engineers, and Gov. Tom
Corbett of PA who have not come out opposing the plan to allow gas drilling and fracking here, endangering our community health and water supply.

The Rally will conclude with a March to the New Jersey State House that houses Governor Christie’s office.  The marchers will be greeted by New Jersey Legislators who have championed a Frack Ban Bill through the NJ Legislature this year.

Several hundred people are expected to come out to express their resolve to work together until the Delaware River Watershed is safe from the intrinsically polluting practices required for natural gas drilling and fracking and to stand as protectors of the treasured Delaware River and its irreplaceable Watershed.

Berks Gas Truth * Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy Catskill Mountainkeeper * Damascus Citizens for
Sustainability * Delaware Riverkeeper Network * Environment New Jersey * Food and Water Watch
Frack Action * Josh Fox/“Gasland” * Hudson Riverkeeper * New Jersey Sierra Club * NYH2O * New
Jersey Environmental Federation * PA Clean Water Action * Protecting our Waters Sustainable Energy Solutions Statewide United for Action

Contacts: Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper 215-369-1188x102
Tracy Carluccio Deputy Director, Delaware Riverkeeper Ntwrk 215-369-1188x104

Wes Gillingham, Program Director, Catskill Mountainkeeper 845-901-1029
Jeff Tittel, Director, New Jersey Sierra Club 609-558-9100
Tina Posterli for Hudson Riverkeeper 516-526-9371
Doug O’Malley for Environment New Jersey 917-449-6812
Barbara Arrindell, Director, Damascus Citizens for Sustainability 570-729-8687
Karen Feridun for Berks Gas Truth, 610-678-7726
Dave Pringle, NJ Environmental Federation 732-996-4288
Joe Levine, NYH2O, (212) 219-1038 x1
Jim Walsh, Eastern Region Director, Food and Water Watch 732.979.6883
David Braun, United for Action, 917-514-0700
Nathan Sooy, PA Clean Water Action, nsooy@cleanwater.org
Michael Lebron, NY’ers for Sustainable Energy Solutions Stwide 917-743-7568
Ana Tinsly, Frack Action Communications Director 646-331-4765
Josh Fox, writer and director, “Gasland”, orifox@aol.com
Steve Kent for Josh Fox, skent@kentcom.com 914-589-5988
Iris Marie Bloom, Protecting our Waters, 215-840-6489

Act Now | Delaware Riverkeeper Network | Urgent Help Needed

Act Now | Delaware Riverkeeper Network | Urgent Help Needed

The Demise of the Carmans River?

Environmentalists Petition DEC to Classify the Carmans as Polluted  

Peconic Baykeeper (PBK) and the Art Flick Chapter of Trout Unlimited (AFTU) have petitioned the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) to include the Carmans River to the 2012 NYS “Impaired Waters” list pursuant to Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act.  PBK & AFTU assert that the current nutrient levels exceed state established water quality standards, precluded the assigned “best usages” and are above the levels deemed acceptable to prevent harm to the Carmans River ecosystem.  Moreover, due to the magnitude of the nutrient caused impairment(s), the Carmans River warrants the implementation of watershed-based pollutant nutrients) reduction strategy without delay.  Pursuant to Clean Water Act regulations, this approach is referred to as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and can be mandated by New York State. 

Currently, New York State has a narrative water quality standard for nitrogen and phosphorus that sets forth limits for these nutrients as follows:  “None in amounts that will result in growths of algae, weeds and slimes that will impair the waters for their best usages.”  Pursuant to Title 6 of New York Codes, rules and Regulations, Part 701, the freshwater portion of the Carmans River is classified as C(T).  In accordance with this classification, the “best usages” for these waters shall be suitable for fish, shellfish and wildlife survival and propagation and primary and secondary contact recreation.  The latter use refers to immersion in the water and indirect contact during on-water activities in various watercrafts.  In addition, the Carmans River is classified as trout waters, which require superior water quality to support resident populations.   

Water quality studies carried out by NYS DEC and others have already documented the high levels of nutrients in the river. The Yaphank impoundments (Willow and Lilly Lakes), created by the presence of two small dams on the river, are dominated annually by aquatic invasive plants that thrive on these excessive nutrients.  This condition is a result of nutrient loadings from multiple  sources,  the most 

predominant of which is sewage wastewater seeping into the river.  To effectively reverse the degradation, it’s imperative that the Carmans River be classified as Impaired Waters.  Obtaining the 303(d) status with a TMDL is a crucial first step in an effective pollution reduction strategy.  The Brookhaven Town's proposed Carmans River Watershed Protections and Management Plan (CRWPMP) has not addressed the issue of reducing the current nutrient loading in the river.  

Doug Swesty stated,  “The current nitrate level in the waters of Carmans River is above the threshold established by the CRWPMP.  However the CRWPMP doesn't include  actions to reduce the current level of nutrients in the river.  Allowing additional development in the watershed will only further exacerbate the problem.   If we wish to protect the Carmans ecosystem from further harm we need to 

have a TMDL set by the State.”  

"Nutrient enriched groundwater from sanitary wastewater discharges is yet another emerging threat to surface water quality in our region.  Our fishing interests, real estate values and use and enjoyment of our aquatic environment all depend on clean water.  With so much at stake, let's ensure that the Carmans River is a testament to our resolve and not indicative of our indifference," said McAllister. 

 For more information contact:   

 Kevin McAllister, Peconic Baykeeper  (631) 875-8976 

 Doug Swesty, Trout Unlimited (Art Flick Chapter) (631) 495-0513 

  

OPINION: Selective Enforcement of Town Code by Islip Town?

       Last week Newsday's Rick Brand wrote an "Our Towns" piece about Republican Legislator, Tom Cilmi of Bay Shore complaining that his campaign signs in Islip were being removed by Town of Islip DPW workers at the behest of Supervisor Phil Nolan and George Hoffman, Mr. Nolan's top aide.  The quotes from the Town representatives pointed to the fact that it is a violation of Town Code to put signs on poles or public rights of way. (Newsday October 13, 2011)

Mr. Nolan said "The Town took action in response to civic associations upset by the proliferation of illegal signs on poles."  Mr. Hoffman claimed in the Newsday story to have piles of the illegal signs from all political parties...in a heap at the three Department of Public Works (yards).  "The option is to ignore the law or enforce it fairly.", Hoffman noted.

             Selective Enforcement?

   Why then did they not remove the illegal- 'No-Parking' signs that Islip Town Commissioner Lawrence (Larry) O'Leary allegedly had workers put up in the middle of the night?

'No-Parking' signs which were never authorized by the Town Board, were allegedly placed illegally on telephone poles by the same Town workers who Mr. Cilmi says removed the political signs.  An Inter-office memo from the Town proves that over two years in a row, the Town distributed more than a hundred forged and illegal parking permits to the residents who lived in the two block radius by the Town marina.  Read the article and see the documents in the story below:

                               Town Employee Voted onto  Islip  Board of Ethics

ISLIP TOWN EMPLOYEE VOTED onto BOARD of ETHICS

GOP MEMBERS VOTE AGAINST NOLAN'S CHOICE

At an Islip Town Board meeting Wednesday Sept 22, 2011 Lawrence (Larry) O’Leary, Commissioner of Public Safety and Code Enforcement, was appointed as a member of the Town’s Board of Ethics by a partisan vote of 3-2.  GOP board members Steven Flotteron and Trish Bergin-Weichbrodt voted against.

For a Town employee to be a member of the Board of Ethics, according to Mr. Flotteron,   "Is just wrong."

"He's not going to be able to be unbiased",  Mr. Flotteron said in a recent interview with Freelance Investigations.  "His position, with his $103,000 dollar salary, was created by his friend and boss Phil Nolan.  Nolan controls his salary and his job and for the first time you'll have a Town employee sitting in on details of ethical concern."

Mr. O'Leary had to get a special waiver to work for the Town because he receives a pension from New York State as a retired police officer. As such, the law states he can only make up to $30,000 dollars as a part time worker and he cannot work in a government position, unless he gets the waiver.  Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan, signed the request for the waiver stating Mr. O'Leary's extensive police experience, prior to his retirement, was a big advantage and a main reason for his recommending the special waiver from the State of New York.

According to a July 27, 2009 letter from Richard Ciprioni, Director of Commission Operations ; Municipal Assistance for the Civil Service Commission of New York to Mr. Robert Finnegan, Director of Labor Relations for the Town of Islip:

Limited approval through October 31, 2009 was granted with the stipulation that the Town review whether the qualifications of 20 years of law enforcement experience for the position is appropriate, and to expand recruitment efforts beyond police agencies to determine if there are any qualified non-retirees available for appointment...Approvals under this section of law are considered to be of a temporary nature.  The Commission's determination is for the finite period indicated and cannot be extended without the Commission approval.

Before the original waiver was expired however, another waiver was granted for November 1, 2009  through October 31,  2011.  Then, before the second waiver could expire in 2011, another waiver request was submitted to cover the time frame of May 1, 2010 through April 30,  2012. It was also granted.

Longtime Islip resident, Patricia Montanino, took issue with Mr. O’Leary being appointed to anything with the word ethics attached. She attended the Town Board meeting prior to the vote being taken, to ask Supervisor Nolan if he intended to vote Mr. O’Leary onto the Board of Ethics.

“How can you set an example or judge anyone’s ethical standards, if you do the wrong thing yourself?  Ms. Montanino asked.  "Mr. O’Leary seems to think he is above it all.  He is not able to lead by example, because his own behavior violates the rules.”

At the Town Board meeting Ms. Montanino  referred  to a package of documents she believes supports her allegations regarding Mr. O'Leary.

Ms. Montanino  stated that over a year ago, she handed the same documentation to all the Town Board members.  The package of documents allegedly contained proof of offenses committed by Mr. O’Leary and his Code Enforcement team.  “If you are making fake permits and parking signs and building an illegal office in your own code enforcement building, how can you be on an ethics board?”  she asked.

The package included the following issues, items and documents:

1.) According to documents submitted, Mr. O’Leary allegedly issued over 100 falsified parking permits in 2010 and 2011 to persons living within two blocks of the Islip Town water park.  The permits  appeared official as they had a bar code and the Town seal and allegedly Mr. O’Leary’s signature on them.

The problem is, the bar code was from a book ISBN number.   Islip Town never made a resolution authorizing either the permits or the parking signs. Public Safety officers allegedly put the signs up in the middle of the night on telephone poles and trees within a two block radius of the water park.  This would force most people to pay the $10 parking fee in the Town owned marina lot.  Putting signs on telephone poles is against Town ordinances and LIPA rules.  If the signature is not Mr. O'Leary's, or if it was not forged and was used with his knowledge and/or permission as a memo Mr. O'Leary sent through Susan Pontillo, would indicate, the permits would still be illegal, because there was no resolution by the Town Board authorizing them.

O'Leary memo regarding second set of permits, (now they had book ISBN number added)
the first set had no bar code and didn't appear official enough, according to sources.

Emails to Kevin Bonner, Town of Islip, Public Information Officer, regarding all of these issues were not returned at time of publication.

Parking permit on dashboard of local resident's car

Sample of Permit with Bar Code ISBN # 978091889-428X

Book from ISBN Bar Code # on Parking Permits Issued by Code Enforcement in Islip Town 

No Parking Signs on Telephone Poles

"Currently, under Islip Town Code
(Article 29), it is illegal to post signs of
all types on trees and telephone poles."
according to town of Islip spokeswoman
Catherine Green, in an article from the Islip Bulletin dated December 11, 2008.

2.) An office was constructed on the third floor (attic) of the Town of Islip Code Enforcement building at 28 Nassau Avenue in Islip, even though no permits for the construction were ever obtained.  The office was newly constructed allegedly for Jason Mistretta, a code enforcement officer, but the office was ordered to be demolished by the Fire Department, after a complaint was made to the Department of Health, about the office and it’s location on the third floor, as a serious safety and fire hazard.

Pictures of a Town dump truck backed up to the building while the contents of the office were thrown out the attic window, were also given to the Town Board members.  There allegedly was no attempt to save, store or recycle the new office furniture. Building materials such as brand new doors, desk, chair, carpeting, sheetrock, molding and other items were tossed into the dump truck and discarded.  Witnesses claim the brand new doors were purposely damaged with sledge hammers as the workers were disassembling the office and its' contents.

3rd Floor Illegal Office in Code Enforcement Building

28 Nassau Avenue 3rd Floor Office

Attic windows open...items tossed into truck

Weight of truck buckles sidewalk

3.) Lacrosse balls were purchased with Town funds, yet curiously the Town has no lacrosse team.  Mr. O’Leary’s phone records on the Town cell phone show dozens of calls on Town work time, to his son’s lacrosse coach at St. Anthony’s High School in Huntington.  Many other calls were also made to Southhampton, on the Town cell phone, during work hours, to the number where the coach lives.

Six Dozen Lacrosse Balls $90 Dollars

Invoice For Lacrosse Balls for Islip Town

4.) Fifty two embroidered jackets paid for by the taxpayers were ordered for Mr. O’Leary’s Public Safety Enforcement staff.  Inquiries into the purchase however resulted in the jackets never actually being distributed. The cost for the jackets allegedly no one ever received was $1, 464.00 on June 17, 2010.

5.) Mr. O’Leary received three  special waivers from New York State to be hired at his $103,000 salary, even though he is a retired New York City Police Officer receiving a pension. That waiver application along with the approval of Alan Schneider, Director of the Town’s Civil Service Division was the reason Mr. O’Leary could make his $103,000 salary.  Mr. Schneider’s son, Robert also works for Islip Town-at McArthur airport.  Mr. Nolan stated in the papers he submitted to the State requesting the waiver, that Mr. O’Leary’s extensive police background and experience was key to his reason for hiring him and needing the waiver.  Mr. Nolan said at the time his search produced no one more qualified for the position than Mr. O’Leary.

First of three waivers:  This one dated March 2009 through March 2011

Page one of second application to State for Mr. O'Leary's Waiver
Period covered November 1, 2009 through October 31, 2011

Page two of Waiver Application

Waiver Application: Page Three
Mr. O'Leary's and Mr. Nolan's Signatures

Mr. O'Leary's Responsibilities for Islip Town

Justification for Renewal of Retiree Waiver for Mr. O'Leary

Civil Service Commission Letter to Islip Director of Labor Relations

Ms. Montanino asked with all the special training and police experience Mr. O'Leary has, something Mr. Nolan stressed when asking for the waiver, "Why then did Mr. O’Leary not get involved or even bother to show up when he received a phone call from the Public Safety Officers in Islip, regarding information they had just received from the police department warning of a credible threat of alleged gang activity with weapons for later that day?".

According to the phone message with Mr. O'Leary, the potential violence with weapons was slated to occur that night at Brookwood Hall, where a senior citizen center, a daycare facility and GOP Town Board member Trish Bergin-Weichbrodt’s office are all located.

According to an official audiotape of the call made on April 1, 2011 obtained by Freelance Investigations, Mr. O’Leary, when notified by telephone during regular business hours, that gang related violence- with weapons- was planned for later that day, his 30 second on the record response consisted of asking one question; who was working- then telling them to check it out and if there was a problem, to call the police.  End of call.

Ms. Montanino wants to know why Mr. O’Leary, for all his ex-FBI and police training and specialized experience in law enforcement- before his retirement, declined to go to the sight directly himself, instead, asking his lone, unarmed Public Safety officer to handle the situation.  The gangs did show up and were chased away, by the police, but not before a noose was hung from the branch of a tree behind the building, according to both police and Town Public Safety reports about the incident.

Ms. Montanino also asked why in all three cases, an extension of the waiver was applied for, many months before the waivers had even expired.  For example, the first waiver listed the duration from 3/09 to 3/11. Yet the second waiver was applied for and obtained for the period 11/09 to 10/31/11.  The third waiver was granted for the period May 2011 through April 30, 2012.

"These appointments are supposed to be temporary, why is this going on for years now?"
Ms. Montanino asked. "They don't even wait for the waivers to expire, they just reapply.  Why? Does any one really believe that in this time of record unemployment there are no other experienced persons who could do this job, that are not already receiving a State pension?"

Ms. Montanino asked.  "Are they still looking for a non-pensioned replacement ?  I think not, if they are applying for new O'Leary waivers before they even expire."

No Board member responded to the information contained in the package of documents Ms. Montanino gave to the Board members at a Town Board meeting over a year ago in August, 2010.  Ms. Montanino wants to know why nothing has been done about alleged forged instruments, unauthorized permits and other anomalies and asks how Mr. O'Leary could be on any Board related to ethics.  The documents are all here...you can decide for yourself.

An E-mail to Board Member, Trish Bergin-Weichbrodt, for comment was not returned at time of publication.