The September 8th Long Island Press article "Foul Ball" by Elizabeth Cady Brown chronicled the shady fundraising practices of Legislative candidate Tom Sabellico for the 14th LD and the Nassau GOP.
The article states "....the Press has spoken with five Little League veterans who say that Sabellico has inappropriately used his position with charities to advance his political career...."
"We all knew that Tom was using Farmingdale Baseball as a stepping stone," says one league volunteer. "This is Tom's way to get his face in the paper and make it look like he's a man of the community. But Tom is a man for Tom."
"There is evidence that Sabellico, as the head of Little League and Winning Beyond Winning, a charity he founded in 1998, may have veered into a gray area. For example, the Farmingdale Republican Committee's financial disclosure forms show Farmingdale Baseball League and Winning Beyond Winning each giving $150 to the GOP in 2001. The donations were not reported by the charities to the IRS."
"A Sabellico campaign event on Saturday, Aug. 27, further illustrated that fuzzy line. Hosted by Sabellico's political committee, it was unquestionably a political rally. A large banner hung from the park fence urging votes for Sabellico and the rest of the Nassau Republican slate, while children ran around with "Kids for Sabellico" T-shirts and "Tots 4 Tom" signs. Campaign donations were accepted."
"Politically more important, the guests were all from Farmingdale Baseball, suggesting that Sabellico used the league mailing list. Nonprofits can legally sell mailing lists to political candidates, but only if all candidates have the same opportunity. Sabellico did not pay for the list of former players, nor is the league willing to give his opponent the information. Sabellico says he had saved the contact data in personal files, but that still may not exempt the group from sharing the data with all candidates.
The use of the park is also sticky. Farmingdale Baseball's first vice president, Frank Nocerino, who gets town permits for the group to use Allen Park, told the Press that the field wasn't under league permit during the Aug. 27 event. But records from the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Parks clearly show the ball field permit was issued to "Mr. Frank Nocerino, Famingdale Baseball" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day. It's probably not kosher for a nonprofit to hold the site permit for a political rally to benefit its president, and this kind of infraction could spark an investigation by the IRS or the state attorney general."
This weeks Farmingdale Observer printed a letter about the situation:
"As an alumnus of Farmingdale baseball and a graduate of Farmingdale High School, I am concerned by the recent revelations that, as president of the league, Tom Sabellico gave contributions from the league to the Farmingdale Republicans. My experience with Farmingdale baseball has been that the parents, coaches and volunteers always placed the children above self-serving political gain. As a CPA, I am professionally disturbed and I know that Farmingdale baseball's tax exemption status is now in jeopardy no matter the dollar amount given. Mr. Sabellico, Frank Nocerino, the first vice president and Dan Kornfeld, the treasurer, have an obligation to the league and community to ensure its well-being, not reward political organizations with money. What lesson does it teach our children when they have to play by the rules, but Mr. Sabellico so flagrantly breaks them?
Mike Norman"
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Friday, September 16, 2005
Where did Democracy go in the Town of Hempstead
From the good folks over at The Community Alliance...
Assault On Democracy In Franklin Square
Ban On Use Of Public Library By Public Official Raises Concern
Just inside the front door of the Franklin Square Public Library there is a rack brimming with brochures. Some promote reading programs and library activities. Others provide information about government initiatives and community events. [There were even glossy flyers, with photos of the Town Supervisor and her Batmobile, encouraging visitors to the Library to come to the Town's Family Festival By The Sea.]
One brouchure in particular, promulgated by the Nassau County Library system, caught the eye. It was entitled, Libraries Open Doors. We wonder whether the Trustees of the Franklin Square Public Library have ever read this piece, taken note of its title, or pondered the plain meaning of these words - Libraries Open Doors. Frankly, we wonder whether the Franklin Square Library Trustees have ever stumbled upon - let alone glanced at - another document, seldom referenced these days, that might also be found in the Library - the Constitution of the United States of America.
On Thursday, September 15th, the doors to the Franklin Square Public Library may have been open to the public, but they certainly were not open to one public official who had been invited and scheduled to speak there - the Chair of the Nassau County Board of Assessors, Harvey Levinson.
Mr. Levinson had been invited by the Franklin Square Public Library - as libraries do - to hold a forum on reassessment and the County's complex tax structure. No shocker here. Public officials are routinely invited to speak - to inform and impart information - on a regular basis. Indeed, just a month ago, Don Clavin, Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes, had been invited to speak at the Franklin Square Public Library on "tax-related" topics, and he did so on August 3rd.
About a week before his scheduled appearence, Mr. Levinson was informed by the Director of the Franklin Square Library, Carol Aherns, that the invitation to speak had been, at the insistence of the Library's Trustees, rescinded. Too political. After all, Mr. Levinson is a candidate for public office, challenging Hempstead Town Supervisor, Kate Murray, in the November election. [We are reminded that Don Clavin, too, is a candidate, seeking to unseat the Nassau County Comptroller, Howard Weitzman. No politics in his appearance, we surmise!]
The Story Continues at www.thecommunityalliance.blogspot.com
Assault On Democracy In Franklin Square
Ban On Use Of Public Library By Public Official Raises Concern
Just inside the front door of the Franklin Square Public Library there is a rack brimming with brochures. Some promote reading programs and library activities. Others provide information about government initiatives and community events. [There were even glossy flyers, with photos of the Town Supervisor and her Batmobile, encouraging visitors to the Library to come to the Town's Family Festival By The Sea.]
One brouchure in particular, promulgated by the Nassau County Library system, caught the eye. It was entitled, Libraries Open Doors. We wonder whether the Trustees of the Franklin Square Public Library have ever read this piece, taken note of its title, or pondered the plain meaning of these words - Libraries Open Doors. Frankly, we wonder whether the Franklin Square Library Trustees have ever stumbled upon - let alone glanced at - another document, seldom referenced these days, that might also be found in the Library - the Constitution of the United States of America.
On Thursday, September 15th, the doors to the Franklin Square Public Library may have been open to the public, but they certainly were not open to one public official who had been invited and scheduled to speak there - the Chair of the Nassau County Board of Assessors, Harvey Levinson.
Mr. Levinson had been invited by the Franklin Square Public Library - as libraries do - to hold a forum on reassessment and the County's complex tax structure. No shocker here. Public officials are routinely invited to speak - to inform and impart information - on a regular basis. Indeed, just a month ago, Don Clavin, Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes, had been invited to speak at the Franklin Square Public Library on "tax-related" topics, and he did so on August 3rd.
About a week before his scheduled appearence, Mr. Levinson was informed by the Director of the Franklin Square Library, Carol Aherns, that the invitation to speak had been, at the insistence of the Library's Trustees, rescinded. Too political. After all, Mr. Levinson is a candidate for public office, challenging Hempstead Town Supervisor, Kate Murray, in the November election. [We are reminded that Don Clavin, too, is a candidate, seeking to unseat the Nassau County Comptroller, Howard Weitzman. No politics in his appearance, we surmise!]
The Story Continues at www.thecommunityalliance.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 11, 2005
9/11
We planned on a few stories for today but didn't feel like getting political. Just going to enjoy being with family and friends and remember those who aren't with us any more.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
We're All Getting Insured!
We got a tip on this and couldn't pass it up. There is a Greg Peterson poster floating around with an interesting campaign slogan:
INSURE NASSAU'S FUTURE.
We wonder what the monthly cost of insuring the county's future is.
Is there a co-pay?
Is there a high deductable if Nassau's Future gets into a fender-bender?
We're guessing the inept Peterson campaign meant to say "ENSURE" Nassau's Future. There is a difference.
Here's an unaltered picture of the poster:
INSURE NASSAU'S FUTURE.
We wonder what the monthly cost of insuring the county's future is.
Is there a co-pay?
Is there a high deductable if Nassau's Future gets into a fender-bender?
We're guessing the inept Peterson campaign meant to say "ENSURE" Nassau's Future. There is a difference.
Here's an unaltered picture of the poster:
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Most Abusive Use of the US Flag by a Campaign..... So Far
Venditto "opened" his camapign headquarters at 939 N. Broadway in N. Massapequa. Not much action going on there.
They did put up some posters in the front window which is a ridiculous use of the US flag. Are he and the republican slate trying to tell us they are US Citizens? Are they trying to say that they are Super-Patriots?
Wouldn't it be great if politicians stopped abusing the flag?
They did put up some posters in the front window which is a ridiculous use of the US flag. Are he and the republican slate trying to tell us they are US Citizens? Are they trying to say that they are Super-Patriots?
Wouldn't it be great if politicians stopped abusing the flag?
Getting Nothing Dunne
Dennis Dunne, Nassau County Legislator from the 15th LD flies so far under the radar, most people don't know who he is. He does his share of photo-ops but as a legislator he's invisible. We'll be covering more of his actions soon but it's hard to see him doing anything that stands out.
In a 2003 Levittown Tribune article before that years election, Dunne said "No political party tells me what to do. The people of the community tell me what to do."
Really? Looking at Dunne's record in the Legisalture, one would be hard pressed to find any vote that was not cast with his fellow republicans.
This isn't something Dunne does alone. None of the republican legislators stray from the party line. If Schmitt votes Yes, Dunne votes Yes and so does Ford, Nicollelo, Becker, Mangano, Gonslaves. If Schmitt votes No, Dunne votes No and the rest do too.
The party does indeed tell Dunne what to do and for him to say otherwise is just a lie.
Bumper Sticker available at our Gift Shoppe
In a 2003 Levittown Tribune article before that years election, Dunne said "No political party tells me what to do. The people of the community tell me what to do."
Really? Looking at Dunne's record in the Legisalture, one would be hard pressed to find any vote that was not cast with his fellow republicans.
This isn't something Dunne does alone. None of the republican legislators stray from the party line. If Schmitt votes Yes, Dunne votes Yes and so does Ford, Nicollelo, Becker, Mangano, Gonslaves. If Schmitt votes No, Dunne votes No and the rest do too.
The party does indeed tell Dunne what to do and for him to say otherwise is just a lie.
Bumper Sticker available at our Gift Shoppe
Katrina Relief Organizations
With thanks to The Community Alliance
Red Cross:Telephone: 1-800-HELP-NOW
https://www.redcross.org/
Secure E-Donations: Red Cross' Donate Now Page AmeriCares:americares.org
United Jewish Communities: 1-877-277-2477 or http://www.ujc.org/ Episcopal Relief & Development: 1-800-334-7626 or http://www.er-d.org/ United Methodist Committee on Relief: 1-800-554-8583 or http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/emergency/hurricanes/2005/
Salvation Army: 1-800-SAL-ARMY or http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
Catholic Charities: 1-800-919-9338 or http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
Operation Blessing: 1-800-436-6348 or www.ob.org
America's Second Harvest: 1-800-344-8070 or www.secondharvest.org National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: www.nvoad.org
FEMA Charity tips: http://www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm
Red Cross:Telephone: 1-800-HELP-NOW
https://www.redcross.org/
Secure E-Donations: Red Cross' Donate Now Page AmeriCares:americares.org
United Jewish Communities: 1-877-277-2477 or http://www.ujc.org/ Episcopal Relief & Development: 1-800-334-7626 or http://www.er-d.org/ United Methodist Committee on Relief: 1-800-554-8583 or http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/emergency/hurricanes/2005/
Salvation Army: 1-800-SAL-ARMY or http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
Catholic Charities: 1-800-919-9338 or http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
Operation Blessing: 1-800-436-6348 or www.ob.org
America's Second Harvest: 1-800-344-8070 or www.secondharvest.org National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: www.nvoad.org
FEMA Charity tips: http://www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm
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