Diane J. Savino's News items

May 14, 2012

Investors are shunning the stock market, and who can blame them? As serial bubbles have burst, faith in the market has been rewarded with shattered retirements. At the same time, trust has been destroyed by scandals and — as demonstrated by the reckless trading at JPMorgan Chase — the slow, uncertain pace of financial reform.

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 6:00 AM Updated: Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 7:42 AM

By Stephanie Slepian/Staten Island Advance Staten Island Advance

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Don't worry about missing your bus connection if the ferry into St. George is running late -- the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has increased its dispatcher presence on the ramps to advise customers about the status of their service, the Advance has learned.

Help preserve the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grotto in Rosebank, Staten Island.

 The National Trust for Historic Preservation is awarding grants as part of its "Partners in Preservation" initiative with American Express.

 TASTES LIKE NY: IDC SEEKS EXPANDED EAT-LOCAL INITIATIVE

Capitol Confidential

April 18, 2012

Joined by farmers, restaurateurs and supermarket representatives, the state Senate’s Independent Democratic Conference pressed for an expansion of the current Pride of New York program, which is designed to promote state produce and food products.

The IDC’s proposal would create “dine” and “shop” designations under the Pride program for restaurants and retailers/wholesalers, allowing them to tout their commitment to in-state foodstuffs — a sort of Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for edibles.

http://statenisland.ny1.com/content/151076/s-i--nonprofit-helps-residents-put-thanksgiving-dinner-on-the-table

By MAURICE RAY

ADVANCE CORRESPONDENT

Editor's note: It was in the month of June 1863 that most people in the United States first heard of President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Earlier this month, on June 17, state Sen. Diane Savino celebrated the document's historic significance with a first-time event called Juneteenth. Maurice Ray of Stapleton submitted a winning essay about what emancipation means to him. He was honored at the celebration, which was held in the new Carter Community Center in Stapleton. The essay appears below.

By Deborah E. Young

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island’s Albany delegation swept into the Todt Hill Friendship Club today, and in front of a boisterous crowd of more than 200 seniors, touted their success in restoring $22.5 million for senior centers in the first on-time state budget passed in five years.

But the two state senators and four assembly members cautioned there are no guarantees the city will keep their beloved center intact, saying they will now lean on the city to honor the facilities they called key to seniors’ quality of life.

ALBANY, N.Y. – The Staten Island Legislative Delegation joined the family of the late Caroline Wimmer, on the second anniversary of her tragic death, to push for the passage of important legislation named in her memory.

The bill, (S.3958/A.6376), would make it a felony for public servants to broadcast unauthorized crime scene images that were taken during the course of their official duties.

In March 2009, an EMT responding to the scene of Wimmer's death posted a picture of the victim on Facebook. This photo was later discovered by Caroline's mother, Marti Wimmer.

By DOUGLAS MARTIN

Published: March 26, 2011

Geraldine A. Ferraro, the former Queens congresswoman who strode onto a podium in 1984 to accept the Democratic nomination for vice president and to take her place in American history as the first woman nominated for national office by a major party, died Saturday in Boston.

She was 75 and lived in Manhattan.