City & State NY 09122016

CIT YANDSTATENY.COM

@CIT YANDSTATENY

September 12, 2016

At-risk CHILDREN

need our attention

by Danny Donohue Every day, across New York state, thousands of children are at risk of abuse and neglect. Their situation is made worse because the people responsible for their protection - child protective services workers - are overwhelmed by caseloads that threaten the social safety net. Continuing economic challenges for working New Yorkers and an unprecedented heroin epidemic are contributing to the strain. In some places, caseloads can run up to nearly 70 active cases per month.

Last spring, both the Senate and the Assembly acted to address the needs of kids. Legislation capping caseloads and moving New York in the right direction was approved by both houses. It follows the conclusions of the OCFS report by capping active cases to 15 per month and requiring adequate staffing to ensure appropriate follow-up, investigation and site visits to assess the well-being of children in a variety of circumstances.

That is simply dangerous and nearly impossible to handle. But don’t take my word for it. That was the conclusion of a 2006 report by the state’s Office of Children and Family Services. It found that smaller caseloads have a direct benefit for children under supervision.

Now it’s up to Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign it and give these kids a chance at a better life. It’s the right thing to do for the children and our communities. CSEA joins with many other responsible organizations and elected officials in urging the Governor to sign and set the standard.

These at-risk children deserve better than the attention they’re receiving under current circumstances.

Caseworkers know this and agonize over the working conditions that too often leave them only bad or worse choices. They have difficult work to do under the best of situations, but rarely have the luxury of that reality. They know that one bad decision can have horrific consequences. They also know there can be unacceptable outcomes through no fault of their own.

It’s the worst kind of stress.

9260_Advertorial CS.indd 1 CS0016_FP.indd8.25x10.75 1

DA N N Y D O N O H U E , P R E S I D E N T

Danny Donohue is president of the nearly 300,000 member CSEA – New York’s Leading Union – representing workers doing every kind of job, in every part of New York.

8/19/16 10:48 2:06 AM PM 8/26/16

City & State New York

September 12, 2016

3

EDITOR’S NOTE / Contents Staten Island is New York City’s most conservative borough, but party loyalties here are evenly split.

More active voters are Democrats, but Republicans are down by only 43,000.

Staten Island is home to two of the three Republicans in the New York City Council, and just one Democrat. The state delegation is similarly divided. Republican Congressman Dan Donovan represents the borough in Washington, D.C., while just over half of its voters cast a ballot for President Barack Obama in 2012.

What’s remarkable, then, is how well local elected officials work across party lines. Democrats and Republicans ride home from Albany together. Assemblyman Michael Cusick, a Democrat, and state Sen. Andrew Lanza, a Republican, have partnered to combat the opioid epidemic. The need for better transit has served as another bipartisan rallying point.

This pragmatism comes, in part, from the fact that Staten Island is also the city’s smallest borough. Indeed, as Democratic Assemblyman Matthew Titone told us, “To know Staten Island, you have to understand we are a small town in a big city.”

Jon Lentz Senior editor

14.

THE EPIDEMIC Rising deaths, limited funding and outdated statistics in the battle against opioid abuse.

8.

TRANSPORTATION

A look at the long list of plans to boost the borough’s transit options.

18.

THE STEXIT

Staten Islanders speak out on seceding from NYC.

22.

VISIONS OF THE FUTURE

Elected officials on what they see in the borough’s future.

30.

HARBOR HERO

A Q&A with Lynn Kelly of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.

4

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

Washington, D.C., we ain’t AS I PERUSE the national news every day, dominated as it is by an extraordinarily divisive presidential campaign, I gaze out my window at Borough Hall and say a prayer of thanks that I’m here instead of the nation’s capital.

I’ve always been a city government guy, one who likes to focus on the hyperlocal concerns of the Staten Island community. My colleagues from the other bor-

ARMAN DZIDZOVIC

By JAMES ODDO

oughs were incredulous when I told them I wouldn’t run for an open congressional seat that I was likely to win; I simply explained that I didn’t want to work in such a divisive environment, and I prefer to wrestle with the issues that only city officials deal with.

I am proud to say that Staten Island is

home to New York City’s only thriving two-party system. Obviously, this is not the only thing that differentiates us from our sister boroughs; I have said on more than one occasion, including last year’s introduction to the City & State Staten Island issue, that we have more in common with the rest

Reach New York’s decision makers and influence policy.

Feature your message in this must-read daily morning round-up of New York government and political news.

Contact Tom Allon at Tallon@CityandStateNY.com for more information.

City & State New York

September 12, 2016

of the country than we do with the thriving metropolis we call the Big Apple.

I like to think we provide a kind of counterbalance, an offset to the pace of the rest of the city. I like to think residents from other boroughs can look over to our diminutive corner of the coast and see a little less urban tension and a little more of that other America: our tallest buildings are too small to be measured by Manhattan standards; because we have little choice, a car culture dominates our transportation system; and the bulk of the borough is a bedroom community. Yet despite these differences we’re still part of their metropolis.

Interestingly, were Staten Island to separate from New York City, we’d be the second-largest city in New York state by far, and larger than the largest city in 13 of the 50 states – but as the smallest borough, we represent less than 6 percent of the city’s total population.

And there’s something else that can be seen here if you look hard enough: Republican and Democratic elected officials working together to get things done for all Staten Islanders. Here, a rope is used not for a tugof-war, but as a lasso that binds us together for the good of the borough. Let me put it

succinctly: Washington, D.C., we ain’t.

Despite a Democratic edge in voter registration, we are a borough of ticket-splitters not afraid to cross party lines. Our Republican state Senator works hand-in-glove with one of our Democratic Assemblymen. We have, both currently and historically, two Republican City Council members and one Democrat, all three of whom often present a borough-united front because they recognize that a rising Staten Island tide lifts all boats, that what’s good for one district is good for the others. I am, of course, a Republican, but one of my most steadfast allies in promoting and defending Staten Island is a female state Senator – to say she is a “staunch” Democrat is putting it mildly – and you will not easily find two more tenacious and hard-headed individuals.

I’ve ruminated long and hard about this, and I’ve come up with a theory: The majority of Staten Island voters believe that Tip O’Neill was right – all politics is local. We seem to avoid nationalizing the election of local officials, opting instead to vote for the man or woman who either gets the job done, or convinces us that they can.

Those unfamiliar with the real Staten Island, those who employ ignorant stereo-

types, don’t really know us at all. We’ve developed a reputation as a Republican bastion – and it is true that Republicans have a much greater influence on our civic life than in the other boroughs. But we are far from monolithic, and we have members of both parties serving proudly, working together, and striving to bring a better life to all of Staten Island’s diverse population.

Isn’t this a good thing? Aren’t we a shining example of inclusion and how the betterment of all citizens trumps adherence to strict party dogma? It is healthy to have Republican and Democrat elected officials working together to solve problems. It is the way it is supposed to be. It is a model for the rest of the city and the nation, and illustrates to officeholders of both parties what can be accomplished through cooperation rather than “gotcha” politics.

Like any community, we have our problems. But I am justly proud of our political culture, one in which ability and experience determine election results, not the name of a party on the top of Column A or Column B.

■

James Oddo is the borough president of Staten Island.

Clean Energy Standard Benefits Statewide Economy and Environment B Y A R T H U R “J E R R Y ” K R E M E R

Last month, New Yorkers scored a huge victory with the passage of the Clean Energy Standard (CES) and the Zero Emissions Credit (ZEC), bringing us one step closer to our clean energy goals and establishing long-term security for our nuclear fleet.

By approving Governor Cuomo’s ambitious carbon reduction goals, nuclear energy is rightly designated green energy, and the ZEC equips New York to attain its 40 percent carbon reduction goals (from 1990 levels) by 2030. This achievement not only makes New York a leader in clean energy for the rest of the country and the world, but also promises great continued advantages to our state’s economy, jobs and environment.

Our state and local economies are helped enormously by our nuclear fleet.

Indian Point contributes $1.6 billion to

Westchester’s local economy, while Oswego’s FitzPatrick facility assures $1 billion in activity. Taxpayers also find their neighboring nuclear plants to be great partners, with Indian Point paying $30 million in property taxes per year and upstate plants Ginna and Nine Mile Point providing $47 million in taxes annually in the Ontario and Oswego regions.

Without our nuclear fleet playing this substantial financial role, local economies would suffer, and the state economy would be adversely affected as well. The economic benefits assured by the ZEC far outweigh the relative cost of developing alternative power sources to replace the steady, carbon-free baseload generation by our nuclear fleet.

These economic benefits extend to the 3,400 jobs held by well-trained workers in nuclear facilities statewide, including 600 workers at FitzPatrick, 1,400 at Ginna and Nine Mile Point, and 1,000 at Indian Point.

These highly skilled men and women keep New York’s nuclear facilities running safely and efficiently around the clock throughout the year. Their advocacy was a resounding factor in the PSC’s decision to help assure the fleet’s continued operation via the ZEC.

5

New York’s nuclear fleet is critical to achieving the state’s environmental goals as well. In upstate alone, nuclear facilities prevent 15.5 million metric tons of carbon emissions. Downstate’s Indian Point prevents the emission of 8.5 million metric tons of carbon—the equivalent of 1.6 million cars—as well as of other pollutants such as nitrogen and sulfur dioxide.

The approval of the CES and the ZEC provides huge benefits to New Yorkers. By keeping our nuclear facilities on the grid, New York will continue to enjoy billions of dollars in annual economic activity; retain thousands of jobs; preserve emission-free generation that will promote our goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40 percent; and set an example for other governments to follow around our country and around the world.

About the Author: Arthur “Jerry” Kremer is the former chairman of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and a principal author of the state’s power plant siting law. He now is the chairman of the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance.

SPECIAL SPONSORED SECTION

WWW . A R E A - A L L I A N C E . O R G

6

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

BOTANIC ABUNDANCE Staten Island knows parks.

As the least “big city” borough in New York City, Staten Island is renowned for its green spaces. From the sylvan Greenbelt to the marshy Bluebelt, there’s no shortage of spots to escape the grind of daily life and get a gulp of fresh air.

And that’s no accident. Nonprofits like the Greenbelt Conservancy, the city Parks and Environmental Protection departments, and the state and federal governments work hard to ensure that the borough’s green spaces stay, well, green.

With so many spots to choose from, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but we reached out to the city’s elected officials and asked them to give it a shot:

I ENJOY THE CONFERENCE HOUSE PARK, BOTH FOR ITS BUCOLIC LANDSCAPE AND ITS BEAUTIFUL SANDY BEACH.

— Assemblyman RON CASTORINA

ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY, YOU CAN FIND ME IN ONE OF OUR BOROUGH’S PARKS WITH MY KIDS. WILLOWBROOK AND CLOVES LAKES PARKS ARE AMONG MY FAVORITE SPOTS. — City Councilman STEVE MATTEO

THE GREENBELT, A SERIES OF SERENE PARKS, TRAILS, AND ADIRONDACK-STYLE NATURAL AREAS. — Assemblyman MICHAEL CUSICK

City & State New York

September 12, 2016

EARLY EVERY MORNING, WEATHER PERMITTING, MY DOG BARI AND I CAN BE FOUND ON THE GROUNDS OF SNUG HARBOR CULTURAL CENTER. — Assemblyman MATTHEW TITONE

7

THE BENCH UNDER THE LARGE SHADE TREE AT THE ALICE AUSTEN HOUSE, WATCHING SHIPS COME THROUGH THE HARBOR. — City Councilwoman DEBI ROSE

ANY OF THE BEAUTIFUL PARKS ON STATEN ISLAND, AND SILVER LAKE GOLF COURSE WHEN I CAN GET THERE. — District Attorney MICHAEL MCMAHON

MY DAILY WALKS. I START IN FORT WADSWORTH, AND HEAD DOWN TO OUR BEAUTIFUL BOARDWALK TO MIDLAND BEACH'S TURTLE CIRCLE. — State Sen. DIANE SAVINO

FORT WADSWORTH, WITH ITS BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF THE CITY SKYLINE AND THE VERRAZANO BRIDGE, IN ADDITION TO ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

— Assemblywoman NICOLE MALLIOTAKIS

PHOTOS BY NEW YORK CITY PARKS DEPARTMENT, LEONARD ZHUKOVSKY AND SNUG HARBOR

8

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

BRIDGING THE STATEN ISLAND TRANSIT GAP

By JEFF COLTIN

ROMAN BABAKIN

September 12, 2016

City & State New York

When we asked Staten Island politicians last year what could be improved about their borough, every single one of them mentioned transportation. There have been a lot of proposed fixes – enough that the topic was skewered in a 2005 mockumentary, the “The Staten Island Catapult,” about a contraption that would launch commuters to Manhattan. Turn the page for some of the projects that are actually being considered, and how likely they are to happen.

9

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

West Shore Light Rail

SARAH HIPWELL

While the Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency favors the borough’s eastern side, the proposed West Shore Light Rail would follow the West Shore Expressway along the other side of the island, crossing the Kill Van Kull into Bayonne, New Jersey, to connect with the Hudson Bergen Light Rail’s southern terminus. After years of advocacy by the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) and thanks to a push by state Sen. Andrew Lanza, the MTA has committed to an estimated $5 million study of the project. Rail fans should temper excitement though – studies in 2004 and 2009 never led to action, and the latest report isn’t due until June 2017.

Verdict: MAYBE

MTA

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge HOV Lane Even with no traffic, the drive from Staten Island to Manhattan takes a while. But come summer of 2017, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge will be home to the first highoccupancy vehicle lane on any MTA bridge or tunnel.

Heading into Brooklyn in the morning and back to Staten Island in the evening, the lane will allow busses and carpoolers to stay in their own dedicated, less-crowded lane all the way from the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel down the Staten Island Expressway.

Verdict: IT’S HAPPENING

Harbor Ring Why should you need an engine to leave Staten Island? Advocates for the Harbor Ring want a path built across the Verrazano for walkers, runners and bikers. It’s the biggest missing link in a bike path all around New York harbor, and the MTA included renderings in its master plan for the 50-year-old bridge’s rehabilitation. The Harbor Ring has an uphill climb though – there are cost and feasibility issues and there’s no timetable for construction.

Verdict: MAYBE FOR YOUR GRANDKIDS

VLADIMIR KOROSTYSHEVSKIY

10

The cat was fed ten times today It’s never too early (or too late) to talk about Alzheimer’s support.

Call our 24-hour Helpline.

We’re here anytime you need to talk.

(646) 744-2900 Free | Confidential | Se habla español | 我們講中文

www.caringkindnyc.org 360 Lexington Avenue, 4th Floor • New York, NY 10017 Formerly Known as the Alzheimer's Association, NYC Chapter Funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Health

CS0016_FP.indd 1

9/9/16 4:00 PM

12

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

Staten Island Ferry to Midtown “We're always looking for ways to improve the hellish daily commute endured by Staten Islanders,” said Borough President James Oddo, who has asked the Department of Transportation to consider running ferries to points beyond the Lower Manhattan ferry terminal, like Pier 11 at the end of Wall Street and a pier at East 35th Street in Midtown. The DOT said it will look into it, but issues remain, like too-small piers and a shortage of ground transportation from the Midtown pier.

Verdict: MAYBE

Staten Island Tunnel

IOFOTO

A plan since the 1890s, ground was broken on a tunnel to connect the R train in Bay Ridge with Staten Island way back in 1923.

Construction was halted soon after, and since then a bevy of proposals have been made for extending the subways to Staten Island – most argue for a link from Brooklyn, but some call for a tunnel all the way from Lower Manhattan. Seventy percent of Staten Islanders supported a tunnel in a 2011 Staten Island Advance survey, but with a multibilliondollar price tag for a long ride to Manhattan, the MTA seems to feel differently.

Verdict: NOT GONNA HAPPEN

Aerial Tramway

CSP

A gondola may sound about as far-fetched to some as the Staten Island Catapult, but the SIEDC is taking it very seriously, putting out an RFP with a $20,000 design prize.

City & State Editorial Director Michael Johnson talked to SIEDC's Cesar Claro in July.

“The reality for us out here is no one’s gonna build a subway here. More busses are worthless because you need more roads, and no one's gonna build more roads for us, so really you only have two long term transportation options: light rail and a gondola system,” he said. The SIEDC has already thrown its support behind the West Shore Light Rail; now it's backing the other option too.

“All the great cities, cities where the leaders have real vision,” Claro said, “are all looking to the sky, and they're implementing gondola projects all over the world.”

But a 2015 Advance headline said it all: “Staten Island tramway proposal won't fly, city says.”

Verdict: NOT GONNA HAPPEN

http://careers.cityandstateny.com

Our job platform specializes in: • • • • • • •

NY Government Policy Communications Campaigns Lobbying Nonprofit Labor

Learn more by contacting Careers@CityandStateNY.com NYCareers_CS0816_FP.indd 1

8/12/16 5:20 PM

14

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

The heroin war Story and photos by FRANK G. RUNYEON

Limited funding and outdated statistics emerge as frustrating obstacles in Staten Island’s battle against the opioid epidemic

A WHITE VAN rattles northward on Staten Island's narrow roads, rumbling past wooded lots and vinyl-sided homes beneath a web of electrical wires and telephone lines. One of its passengers is 33-year-old Kevin Oshea.

On nearly every block, Oshea has a memory. “These projects here, I could go in and get heroin,” he says.

The van stops at a red light, and Oshea nods to his left. “I used to meet someone at this gas station to pick up, drop off.” Draining a Red Bull, he cocks his head left and points diagonally across the intersection. “This deli here. I used to get heroin right out of that deli.”

As the van turns right at the light, he straightens up and leans forward. “There’s a street coming up. Not this one, the next one – Hodges. I used to have three people on that block I used to do business with.”

“No matter where you go, there's always a place,” Oshea says. He looks farther down the road. “Anywhere on Staten Island.”

THE ABUNDANCE OF HEROIN on Staten Island has fueled an epidemic. As of Sept.

1, there have been 61 fatal and 30 non-fatal documented heroin or opioid overdoses in 2016, according to NYPD statistics compiled

by Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon. But his office believes many go uncounted and that the real numbers are 30 percent higher. In August, a Staten Island hospital official confirmed that there have been more overdoses so far this year than during the same period last year.

Many fear the epidemic is getting worse.

And despite national attention, nonprofit community service providers say they may still lack the resources to stop it – a problem

compounded by a “data lag” in the city’s health department overdose statistics, which can mean even the most recent statistics are more than a year old.

“We have families where everybody in the family is addicted,” said Diane Arneth, executive director of Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI). “The mother, the grandmother, the son, the daughter – the entire family.”

Arneth’s organization, which offers harm reduction and drug treatment services, aids several such families. She said she has seen “multigenerational” addiction many times.

“It’s astonishing what impact this is having,” Arneth said.

Luke Nasta, a Staten Island native who has helped others battle addiction for over 40 years as executive director of Camelot Counseling, said it’s difficult for him to witness the

r

City & State New York

September 12, 2016

resurgence of heroin on his home turf.

“I consider myself a survivor of the first heroin epidemic. I mean, I was a teenage heroin addict in the 1960s,” Nasta said. “Extremely disheartening. It's overwhelmingly sad.”

THE SECOND WAVE began to build in the mid-1990s. Freely prescribed opioid pills like oxycodone were marketed as non-addictive pain relievers. In reality, these narcotic pain pills were lab-synthesized heroin, mimicking the effects of a true opiate, but not actually derived from opium. The prevalence of opioid painkillers in the family medicine cabinet became a health crisis waiting to happen.

Recovering patients became dependent on the pills, family members self-prescribed them, and rebellious teenagers crushed and snorted them. The result was deadly. By 2011, health data showed deaths from opioid pill overdoses were three times higher on the island than in any other part of New York City – a disconcerting disparity with no clear explanation.

After that, legislators and public health officials started cracking down on opioid prescriptions, making it more difficult for people to get ahold of them. Officials celebrated a 29 percent decrease in the number of people dying from pill-related overdoses between 2011 and 2013.

Heroin dealers saw an opportunity. They flooded the market with their cheap and highly addictive dope – taking advantage of a population already hooked on opioids but increasingly unable to buy their pills.

In 2014, law enforcement agents seized more heroin in New York City than they had in the previous three years combined. In 2015, agents pulled even more heroin off the

city’s streets – recovering 818 pounds in total – and 150 pounds in one raid alone.

Heroin itself has become increasingly dangerous in recent years. Today, it is 55 percent pure – that’s six times more potent than the heroin people used to shoot up, according to Drug Enforcement Agency records cited in a Staten Island Advance report.

And now, fentanyl, a powerful form of synthetic heroin, is increasingly being mixed into street heroin, causing unsuspecting users to overdose.

That has not stopped at least some from seeking out the most dangerous dope on the market. Kevin Oshea recalled a fellow user who would wait two weeks to collect 30 fentanyl patches and then disappear for several days. He once watched the man go through six patches at a time. “Four on him,” Oshea said. “Sucking on one, smoking the other one.”

Bridget Brennan, the city’s special narcotics prosecutor, said, “I think there are misconceptions in some places that there's a safe way to do these drugs, but there isn't.”

“They just aren't safe,” Brennan said. “If you abuse the opioid drugs, you're going to die.”

Heroin is deadlier now than it’s ever been.

According to a state comptroller’s report in June, heroin-related overdose deaths in New York reached a record high of 825 in 2014.

During the 10 years before that, the rate of prescription opioid overdose deaths in New York had nearly tripled, while the rate of heroin overdose deaths in the state increased twentyfold.

And it appears to be getting worse.

“It's only now that we know exactly how serious the problem is,” said McMahon, the Staten Island district attorney. It’s “much

KEVIN OSHEA, ONE OF MANY STATEN ISLANDERS WHO STRUGGLE WITH OPIOID ADDICTION, IS IN A COURT-MANDATED TREATMENT PROGRAM.

15

more than any other person's numbers showed us,” he said referring to the overdoses he has tallied so far this year.

McMahon’s office began tracking the number of overdoses in real time when he took office in January. Shortly after his election, neighbors just down the block found their 21-year-old son dead from of an overdose on their front lawn. When McMahon inquired about the case, he discovered police weren’t investigating overdose deaths and that city health officials could not provide current overdose data.

“How many overdose deaths have we had last year?” McMahon said he had asked city officials. “And nobody knew the answer to that. I realized that not only do we not have accurate data as to what is going on, a great opportunity was being missed in investigating these cases, learning where these drugs were coming from and going after the dealers.”

As law enforcement recovered record amounts of heroin, officials realized they needed more manpower to get it off the streets, but that would cost money the district attorney didn’t have. McMahon used his overdose statistics in June to successfully lobby Mayor Bill de Blasio for emergency funding, adding $3.66 million to the district attorney’s war chest, enough to hire 15 new narcotics officers. Without his overdose statistics, McMahon said, he may not have gotten the funding.

The city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has long been responsible for tracking overdose statistics, and a spokesperson noted the agency even tracks “drug-related emergency room visits on a daily basis in order to identify trends that require coordinated response.” For example, last April, the department issued an advisory warning of the “dramatic increase” in the number of 2015 citywide drug overdose deaths.

But the agency often takes many months to compile and release the data. The most recent figures were 18 months old when City & State asked for newer data in late July. City health officials explained then, however, that more time was needed to ensure publicly released statistics would be accurate and could not say when the 2015 numbers would be ready – although 10 days later, the department released the data. The statistics showed a 158 percent increase in heroin overdose deaths citywide in 2015, but a slight decrease in such deaths on Staten Island. McMahon doubts the accuracy of the data compiled by the health department. “If you look at it, if someone dies from a heart failure, even though it was caused by ingestion of drugs, it’s not recorded necessari-

16

CityAndStateNY.com

ly as a drug case,” McMahon said. “So there's some underreporting there.”

McMahon said the health department’s 2014 report showed 74 total opioid overdoses, which he believes is undercounted by 50 percent. “And right now, the way we're running (in 2016), it is probably going to be double that, if not more.”

City health officials expressed confidence in the department’s data and said that the medical examiner determines how to classify deaths. But there’s no disagreement about current heroin and opioid overdose trends from the city health department.

“This is an increasing problem and I think we predict it will increase for 2016,” said Dr. Hillary Kunins, who leads the city health department’s alcohol and drug use bureau.

STATEN ISLAND’S medical community has created a sophisticated database capable of producing real-time heat maps of exactly where overdoses are happening, with the ability to drill down on patient medical history.

“It's really cutting-edge. Nobody's really doing it in New York state the way we're doing it,” said Joseph Conte, executive director of the Staten Island Performing Provider Sys-

September 12, 2016

tem, the local planning group for New York’s Medicaid redesign project, known as the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program, or DSRIP. Conte confirmed that the death toll for heroin and opioid overdoses will rise this year, according to the hospital data, but he offered a silver lining.

“We see more people in treatment this year than we did last year,” Conte said. “So (that) trend is very positive.”

Much of the information in the system is confidential under patient privacy laws, but it enables Staten Island hospitals to boil down this wealth of information into some actionable intelligence for the nonprofit addiction and recovery service providers.

And accurate, timely data is crucial to reaching people in need.

“We're trying to understand more of the trends in real time using hospital data, using district attorney data, and then we'll have a better sense of where we are with this,” said Adrienne Abbate, executive director of Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness (SIPCW). “I think the challenge is connecting people with treatment.”

SIPCW has served as a backbone for the coalition of drug treatment and recovery

Home Six years before the Statue of Liberty was dedicated, Deloitte opened an office in New York.

Today, more than 5,400 professionals work for the organization in six offices throughout the state, including its global headquarters in Manhattan.

www.deloitte.com

service providers, public health officials, law enforcement, politicians and other stakeholders in the community. The confederation provided the first community training session with naloxone, the emergency opioid overdose antidote, and led the successful campaign to have NYPD officers carry the lifesaving nasal spray.

Together, SIPCW’s partner organizations have lobbied state and city government to expand existing anti-addiction services and create new ones for Staten Islanders addicted to opiates, bringing in millions of dollars. The city plans to spend $25 million to combat overdose deaths, according to health officials.

And yet, there’s an unshakeable sense among nonprofit leaders that it may not be enough.

There hasn’t been any funding for recovery until now, according to Arneth, who runs CHASI. The nonprofit was recently awarded $1.75 million to create Staten Island’s first recovery center. The new project will provide crucial support and counseling to current drug users, their families and people struggling to fight addiction. But that money is only enough to keep the center running five days

City & State New York

September 12, 2016

“THIS IS A FOREST FIRE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? DUMPING BOTTLES OF WATER FROM AN AIRPLANE? WAITING UNTIL THERE'S NO FOREST LEFT?” – LUKE NASTA, Camelot Counseling a week with limited hours.

“We can’t tell (drug users) to be in crisis during business hours,” Arneth said. “We’re really looking for resources to keep this open 24 hours a day … so we can respond when people need it.”

From the perspective of Nasta, who heads Camelot’s addiction recovery centers on the island, the government is providing perhaps a tenth of the funding needed to end the crisis.

“This is a forest fire,” Nasta said of the heroin epidemic. “What are you doing? Dumping bottles of water from an airplane?” he asked. “Waiting until there's no forest left?”

“I’m not hopeful. I’m sorry, I can’t. I can’t be hopeful. I’m the battlefield medic,” said

Nasta. “He brings in and tries to restore the life of those disabled by the war. But then, they may have to go back into the war.”

KEVIN OSHEA’S BATTLE has landed him in a court-mandated recovery program at Camelot. He began wrestling with addiction when he broke his wrist and a neighbor handed him his first oxycodone pills to help with the pain. His dependence on the drugs grew slowly over time.

But when his mother died in 2013, he went on a three-year binge. Oshea crushed and snorted 200 pills a month, and sold 100 more to support his habit. When he couldn’t get pills, Oshea smoked heroin. When his fiancée found out, she left him.

For years, Oshea stole from his family and even hawked his mother’s jewelry to pay for the drugs. His father eventually called the police.

“It got to the point where he’d had enough and he pressed charges on me. They arrested me – which saved my life. ‘Cause if he didn’t have me arrested I’d probably still be using heroin, or be in the ground.”

Law enforcement agents, legislators, health officials and nonprofit partners believe their extensive efforts to diminish the accessibility of opioid pills are stopping the epidemic from spreading to a new generation of potential addicts. But they are still struggling to reach people who are already addicted before it’s too late.

“You can’t keep selling and doing drugs forever,” Oshea says. “I had a long run, but everybody’s game comes to an end.”

Oshea is alive, but like many others he bears the invisible scars of his drug abuse.

“I used to live up here on the hill by Wagner College with my fiancée,” he says, looking out the window of the van.

She doesn’t know he’s in recovery now, but they talk occasionally.

“You can’t heal everything overnight,” Oshea says.

■

Committed to northern Staten Island families for more than 100 years.

Goodhue Community Center 304 Prospect Avenue New Brighton The Community School at Curtis High School 105 Hamilton Avenue St. George Richmond Early Learning Center 159 Broadway West Brighton

At Children’s Aid, we are on a mission to connect children with what they need to learn, grow, and lead. We are with them every step of the way with the tools they need to realize their limitless potential.

17

Staten Island Family Services Center 465 Villa Avenue Port Richmond

www.childrensaidsociety.org

18

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

The ‘Stexit’

Could Staten Island secede from New York City?

Story and photos

by FRANK G. RUNYEON

STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE NOV. 3, 1993

MANY STATEN ISLANDERS say they have never really felt like they’re part of New York City. They even announce it to visitors arriving at St. George’s ferry terminal, where t-shirts and coffee mugs sport the well-worn phrase, “Staten Island: The Forgotten Borough” – which seems as much a badge of honor as a complaint.

New York City Councilman Joseph Borelli played on those enduring sentiments in late June, shortly after the stunning “Brexit,” in which the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, coyly suggesting that perhaps it was time to revisit a “Stexit” vote – by which Staten Island might secede from New York City and become its own municipality. He also explored the issue in Slant, looking back at the history behind Staten Island’s discontent.

The high point for the secession movement arrived on Nov. 3, 1993, the morning after Staten Islanders voted to sever ties with New York City by a 2-to-1 margin. The Republican-majority state Senate approved the secession, but the Democrat-held Assembly foiled the island’s bid for independence by referring the issue to the New York City Council, which blocked it.

Borelli is now comparing a 1992 secession feasibility study by the College of Staten Island to an ongoing city-commissioned study examining whether Staten Island gets its fair share of city services.

“The intention was clear,” Borelli said of the new study.

“The intention was to draw a parallel” to the initial study, which endorsed secession and laid the groundwork for the 1993 exit vote.

City Councilman Steven Matteo played down any impending calls for secession, however, explaining that at the moment it’s not a realistic goal.

“When you talk about secession, clearly it’s not going to happen right now,” Matteo said. “Secession comes from Staten Islanders feeling like we’re not getting our fair share.”

The ongoing “fair share study,” Matteo said, is a practical step to ensure that the borough receives the city services it should during budget season. To even consider moving toward secession, there would need to be further study of what would happen with park land, property taxes and local government, among other things, Matteo explained.

The deeper issue is Staten Island’s ability to take action on its own.

“We need more local control here,” said Matteo. “What works for the city doesn’t necessarily work for Staten Island.”

City & State New York

September 12, 2016

What do regular Staten Islanders say about seceding from New York City?

Catherin Ardelan, 29

Secede? No!

“I think this is not a good idea. Many years ago they decided that this is all the city and Staten Island is a part of New York City.

This is better. Staten Island is part of New York. If they separate, they'll need another government seated. Transit would be separate.

This would not be good. Another tax … it'd be more expensive. Leaving would be more expensive.”

Kenneth Daly, 55

Secede? No!

“I don't know how that would work out. If I had any kind of say in it … if my vote was going to go somewhere and mean something, I'd go against that idea. I remember hearing a lot of talk about Staten Island leaving the five boroughs. What was it, in 1993? I remember reading about it and watching the news channels then … now it seems to have faded away, the idea. Personally, I don't think it would affect me. This city is going to hell anyway, all five boroughs.”

19

20

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

Joe Yacca, 46

Secede? Yes! “I was always of the opinion that the secession failed, but it should have gone through. I think that it probably would have been a bit better for Staten Islanders than lumping Staten Island in with the city. I mean, 9 million (New York City residents) and less than a million (Staten Island residents). ...

There's just such a dichotomy between the two of them. I think that Staten Island would have been better off, maybe even bringing money into Staten Island as a whole. In a way, it’s a hub between New York and New Jersey. All those monies go to either the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority or the city for the Verrazano. I think Staten Islanders lost out on a lot of that potential revenue to bring what they're trying to bring now, gentrifying the whole waterfront. That could have been done many, many years ago.”

Pedro Reyes, 33

Secede? Yes!

“I think that'd be great. … The city is different from Staten Island. I guess because it's across the water. It's more retirees and houses, not tenements and buildings. … The city is a little crazy. Staten Island is a little more suburban. … You don't see too many stores or traffic. It's a little more quiet. More quiet than anything.

It's just a different type of living, I guess.”

Leslie Arredondo, 39

Secede? No!

“I probably wouldn't be for it. I like being from New York City.

And tax-wise, it would be worse for us. … If you live upstate, taxes are higher there if you work in New York City. So tax wise, it's not great. And you wouldn't get the benefit of the discounted bridge. As residents of Staten Island and residents of New York City simultaneously, we get a break on all the bridges, not just the Verrazano. There's so much migration from Brooklyn. It's changing. It's got an old-school Brooklyn feel now. … The old guard is very, very conservative, so there's a resistance from all of them. But they're getting really old, so eventually they're going to die.” (Laughs.)

City & State New York

September 12, 2016

21

Haxhire Kushi, 52

Secede? No!

“Leaving the city is impossible. …

Economically, they cannot. They depend (on the city). … If they create good jobs in Staten Island, like they plan to build a new center of shopping and malls, then maybe, but still, good jobs and good pay are in the city. I used to be from Albania, capital city Tirana. It's not like New York City, but now I've gotten used to being a part of it.”

Lisa Purrone, 23

Secede?

Maybe...

Shaun Taylor, 36

Secede? Yes! “I think it would be interesting – interesting good …

I think independent, as our own, we'll have more to offer, like to minorities. It'd probably open up the job market to us. I know we're a part of the five boroughs, but it doesn't seem like we're a part of the five boroughs because when they mention the boroughs they mention everyone but Staten Island. … We should have never been a borough in the first place.”

“I don't see a direct benefit that we would get from it. ...

Well, I don't know. There is something to it, that we're the forgotten borough in a lot of ways. At the same time, I don't know where the power would go to. … I think it would just lead to a whole can of worms. Who would be fighting for who. Staten Island is a very interesting borough. … There's a really huge disparity between the rich on the island and the poor on the island. I don't know what that would look like.”

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

DYLAN FORSBERG

22

City & State New York

September 12, 2016

VISIONS of the FUTURE Staten Island politicians have long complained that theirs is New York City’s forgotten borough.

And that sentiment remains popular, especially in the face of limited transit options, an opioid epidemic and the need for more economic development and investment in local businesses.

But the borough’s elected officials are also optimistic about the positive changes that are coming, from the redevelopment on the North Shore to the island’s growing diversity.

In this section, we asked each of Staten Island’s elected officials – its City Council members, state lawmakers and district attorney – to share what they see in the borough’s future. Read on to find out what they envision.

23

24

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

MICHAEL MCMAHON RICHMOND COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

The landscape of Staten Island is rapidly changing, with major developments promising to transform the North Shore as well as other parts of the borough.

One thing that will always remain constant, however, is the need for public safety and the guarantee of justice for all people living and working in Staten Island. Our borough is facing many serious challenges, from gun violence to the tragedy of our heroin and opioid epidemic and the overwhelming number of domestic violence victims each year. My vision for the future of Staten Island is an optimistic one where these issues no longer cause the type of pain, suffering and crime that individuals and families face each day. We should be able to live in a borough where those suffering from addiction can find the support services they so desperately need, where drug dealers are kept off the streets and put behind bars, and where no woman, child or family member ever has to live in fear inside of their own home. I have always maintained a positive outlook about Staten Island’s future, but I also realize that the only way to achieve our goals is by building a trusting relationship between the community and law enforcement. If nothing else, my vision is for the people of Staten Island to continue working together with their elected leaders and police officers in order to build a safer and better community for future generations.

MICHAEL CUSICK ASSEMBLYMAN Republican - District 63

I have called Staten Island home for my entire life. During that time, I have seen the borough undergo a great deal of change, and yet so much has remained the same. We remain the most suburban and rural borough with the highest rate of homeownership in the city.

Yet we become a more culturally and economically diverse borough each day, boasting vibrant South Asian, Russian and East African communities, just to name a few. We are still the borough of quiet wooded streets filled with modest homes, yet we are seeing Brooklyn- and Hoboken-style development along our North Shore taking shape.

I believe that the future of our borough as a safe and sustainable entity hinges on fostering an environment of healthy living among Staten Islanders. Staten Island is currently in the throes of a devastating heroin and opioid epidemic, a plague that will require an all-hands-on-

deck strategy to defeat. At the same time we must also confront the threat posed by the high rate of obesity among Islanders, a problem that has ramifications beyond personal health. The future of Staten Island must include a population that utilizes our abundant open space and recreational facilities while implementing healthy eating and lifestyle choices, including the elimination of opioids from our streets.

While the health of our population is a paramount concern, the health of our infrastructure is also critical. The vast majority of our transit grid has remained unchanged and unimproved while our population has skyrocketed. The coming development across the borough presents a unique opportunity to learn from past mistakes and incorporate outside-the-box transit solutions into our transit network, including the potential West Shore light rail and North Shore Bus Rapid Transit.

City & State New York

September 12, 2016

DIANE SAVINO STATE SENATOR Democrat/IDC - District 23

We need to see more smart development in our borough to ensure that as we grow we will continue to offer our residents a high quality of life. We also need an increase in workforce housing, which would provide affordable housing for Staten Island's hardworking men, women and families.

As Staten Island continues to flourish, we must ensure that it stays affordable for our community. However, with increased development, we must also address our infrastructure needs. While we have made recent strides with ferry service, Staten Islanders still need increased transportation through Rapid Bus service. We are also beginning to see a need for increased infrastructure within our schools – as our communities grow, so do our children's class sizes. Finally, building our resiliency is a must, to ensure that we never again struggle with Sandy-level damage.

25

STEVE MATTEO CITY COUNCILMAN Republican - District 50

My vision for Staten Island includes many objectives, but one that I believe strongly in is creating a friendly environment for local business. We have a number of commercial corridors that are epicenters of job creation and shopping for borough residents – New Dorp Lane and Plaza, Victory Boulevard in Westerleigh and Castleton Corners, and Richmond Road in Dongan Hills. In an age of mega-chains and superstores, shopping local has never been more important; that is why have I have been trying to change the relationship between local government and local enterprise. For too long, that relationship was characterized by regulation and fines. I wanted to change the perception and the reality of that dynamic into one characterized by assistance and support. I have allocated funds to help area businesses and commercial property owners organize into merchant groups or, for those who

are willing, into Business Improvement Districts, to pool their resources and bring shoppers back to their strips. This has included the hosting of special events that brought over 1,000 attendees back to these areas. Shopping local not only helps local merchants, it enriches the community as well. Ultimately, small businesses are the lynchpin of efforts to better our community. Their owners are the backbone of local charity organizations.

Their employment opportunities offer Staten Islanders a chance to work in their home borough rather than commute to Manhattan, and they often provide boutique goods and services that large chains frequently do not. Staten Island has the potential to be more than just a bedroom community, and my vision is to help it become a great place to work and start a business as well as settle down to start a family.

26

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

NICOLE MALLIOTAKIS ASSEMBLYWOMAN Republican - District 64

During the past six years I have worked to make Staten Island a better place to reside by fighting for transportation restoration and expansion and against skyrocketing tolls, and working to improve the overall quality of life for residents.

My vision for the future of Staten Island is one in which we build on the bus lines restored over the past few years to create an adequate transportation system and utilize our waterfront to offer more recreational activities like "Yoga on the Beach" and bike rentals along the FDR Boardwalk. I envision a cleaner, greener Staten Island free of litter and properties abandoned from Hurricane Sandy.

In my district, the most important project on the horizon is the construction of a seawall along the East Shore to protect the community from a future natural disaster. This is critical to reduce flood insurance rates, improve property values and protect residents.

Additionally, through government's continued strategic partnership with law enforcement, schools, extracurricular programs, and families, I envision and hope for a Staten Island that has tackled the heroin epidemic currently plaguing our community.

RON CASTORINA ASSEMBLYMAN Republican - District 62

Staten Island is a beautiful place to live and we value the residential nature of our community. However, we are starting to see the effects of New York’s economic boom on the Island. Thanks to our proximity to Manhattan and lower housing costs, Staten Island is seeing new construction in places like St. George. In the future we will embrace growth and seek to create economic opportunity, but we should also protect the character of our communities and not let housing growth overburden limited infrastructure.

Staten Islanders deserve a better deal on transportation in terms of both cost and service. Our city and state government uses our tax and toll dollars to subsidize public transportation while neglecting Staten Island’s pothole-ridden roads.

We pay prohibitively high tolls on the Verrazano Bridge that make commuting to work too expensive for residents.

Staten Islanders rely on their cars partly because of a lack of quality public

transportation options like commuter rail. Our government needs to take motorists into account in public policy while improving public transportation options on the Island.

Like other cities, New York has seen its police officers come under attack by demonstrators and its law enforcement institutions scrutinized by policy makers.

Over the last two decades, New York has become dramatically safer because of “Broken Windows” policing. It is disappointing to see some lawmakers use the perception of excessive force to justify changing the very policing protocols that have reduced crime. As we face new threats like the scourge of opioid addiction or the threat of terrorism, we cannot afford to take tools away from law enforcement. I will continue to be an advocate for police officers with initiatives like my Blue Lives Matter bill in order to empower our police officers to keep us safe.

City & State New York

September 12, 2016

DEBI ROSE CITY COUNCILWOMAN Democrat - District 49

27

The North Shore Renaissance that Staten Islanders have hoped for for decades is happening now. Construction is underway on three transformational projects in St. George. Residents have moved into the new Homeport development. And new waterfront parks and piers are giving us unprecedented access to the harbor. My longtime dream of a reclaimed waterfront is being realized, and my vision for the future includes additional progress in transportation, recreation and education.

Our inadequate transportation network impedes economic development and exacerbates traffic. We need light rail or monorail on the North Shore and West Shore, with connections to New Jersey to knit us closer to the tri-state area. These rail lines must be efficient and permanent, which will encourage investment and serve as a model for the rest of the city.

While the full potential of the waterfront was not fully realized in previous generations, I have worked from day one to utilize it as a recreational and economic resource. I secured funding to plan a continuous greenway from Fort Wadsworth to the Goethals Bridge. This greenway will include several parks currently under construction, and its centerpiece will be a state-of-the art indoor recreation center to replace Cromwell, built atop Lyons Pool in Tompkinsville.

Finally, having spent much of my career working to keep at-risk youth in school, I know firsthand the value of a seamless educational system. That is why I am working to build an educational complex at the site of the old Staten Island Hospital that would begin with pre-K and end with an associate’s degree and prepare students for careers in our historic maritime industry, technology and other 21st century fields.

Don’t just have a job.

Have a purpose.

A degree from MCNY empowers your career and our community.

• Earn your graduate degree in as little as 12 months in Business, Education, Media, Healthcare, Financial Services, Emergency Management or Public Affairs and Administration.

• Leverage our student-centered, state-of-the-art learning environment that we’ve designed to help you focus on your success.

• Find out about flexible schedules and scholarship opportunities.

What’s Your Purpose? Find it at our Graduate Info Session:

Thursday, Sept. 29 6-8PM RSVP ONLINE: WhatsYourPurpose.NYC

NEW MANHATTAN AND BRONX LOCATIONS! MCNY202_GIS_HalfPage_Ad_7.25x4.75_4C_CityandState.indd 1

877-957-6981 9/7/16 3:30 PM

28

CityAndStateNY.com

MATTHEW TITONE ASSEMBLYMAN

September 12, 2016

My hometown is changing, and I have to get used to the fact that I no longer need to ready myself for a defensive joust when asked, "Where are you from?" These days, I find my audience sincerely interested as I explain Staten Island's changing demographics, arts and cultural scene, and of course, real estate opportunities – particularly along the north shore in the district I have proudly represented for nearly a decade. We’ve come a long way. Today, we look far more like a United Colors of Benetton poster than any of the smug stereotypes I’ve become accustomed to hearing over the years.

To know Staten Island, you have to understand we are a small town in a big city.

When the Verrazano Bridge opened, rapid development occurred with a complete lack of planning and a touch of disdain (looking at you Robert Moses). Staten Island went from rolling farmlands to a jumble of rural, suburban, and urban communities. Today’s renewed interest in Staten Island has multibillion-dollar private investment attached to it. The key to our future will be to keep the grand plans and schemes of the commercial real estate and economic development sectors in line with the quality-of-life interests of residents, old and new.

Our challenge will be to maintain our working family values system and identity. The reality is that the vast majority of us have deep roots here, we work within the five boroughs and we already own our homes. Realistically, we're not going anywhere anytime soon. And why would we? In all of New York City, Staten Island's future stands out as the most promising and exciting, which we Staten Islanders have known all along. It’s just nice to see the rest of the world is finally catching up with us.

Democrat - District 61

The faculty, staff, and students of the College of Staten Island and I join in celebrating the Borough 50 Reception and in recognizing the top 50 leaders.

Dr. William J. Fritz, President College of Staten Island

Celebrate City & State’s 10th Year Anniversary with Our Honorary Special Guest Speakers Join us for a Gala Dinner on Sept 27th, 6pm- 9pm • At Vermilion 480 Lexington Ave

Keynote speaker Preet Bharara

Thomas DiNapoli

Hon. David Paterson

Scott Stringer

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of NY

New York State Comptroller

Former New York State Governor

New York City Comptroller

RSVP at CityandStateNY.com/Events 100 HELP

PROVIDING

CREATING

YEARS HOPE

100 HELP

PROVIDING

CREATING

YEARS HOPE

100 HELP

100

PROVIDING

YEARS PROVIDING

CREATING

100

HELP

YEARS HOPE

CREATING

HOPE

PROVIDING

HELP

CREATING

YEARS HOPE

To learn about advertising opportunities, contact Tom Allon at Tallon@CityandStateNY.com

100 HELP

PROVIDING

CREATING

YEARS HOPE

CS_10YrAnniv_CS0016_FP082416.indd 2

PROVIDING

100 YEARS PROVIDING

HELP

CREATING

HOPE

100 YEAR

9/9/16 4:35 PM

30

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

Harbor hero A Q&A with Lynn Kelly of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden ORIGINALLY A HOME for washed-up sailors, Snug Harbor is now a cultural hub on Staten Island. At its helm is Lynn Kelly, the president and CEO of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. Kelly, who landed on City & State’s inaugural Staten Island 50, also serves on NYC & Company’s executive committee and sits on the New York City Economic Development Corporation board when she isn’t busy juggling Snug Harbor’s many offerings, from the schools to the gardens to the artists’ studios. In an interview with City & State’s Jeff Coltin, Kelly discussed tourism on Staten Island, redevelopment on the North Shore and funding for Snug Harbor.

C&S: Staten Island is making a huge push for new visitors. What role does Snug Harbor play in that?

LK: Snug Harbor’s role is as the cultural anchor to the redevelopment of the North Shore of Staten Island. Our role is an important one. As Staten Island’s waterfront

changes and goes through a renaissance, our role as cultural facility – particularly one that really works closely with the local community – becomes that much more important, because we’re one of the original building blocks of this community.

On the flip side of that, as increased tourism comes to Staten Island, we think it’s really important that people get to see what’s often known as “the hidden gem of Staten Island,” which is Snug Harbor.

C&S: Some 2,500 apartments are coming to the North Shore, plus the Ferris wheel and the outlet mall – what does this mean for Staten Island as a whole?

LK: I personally find it to be an exciting time for Staten Island. When I grew up here, you went to college – and this often happened, it didn’t happen with everyone – but you might have grown up here, gone to school somewhere else and if you wanted to return here, there weren’t a lot of options in terms of urban-style apartment living. You can’t just necessarily buy

a house at a young age. You can’t afford it.

So I think the fact that now there are going to be more apartments and a different type of housing stock on Staten Island, it really lends itself to having a more diverse community in age, in background, in socioeconomic status and I think that’s a really great thing. That’s what makes healthy neighborhoods.

C&S: You grew up on Staten Island.

What’s your original connection to Snug Harbor? Did you visit as a youth?

LK: No, because I’m a little older, it was not open. It was still a home for retired sailors.

It was converting over to be Snug Harbor.

I knew what it was, but … my brother, who’s 10 years younger, got to enjoy the children’s museum when it opened, but I was older at that point.

C&S: Snug Harbor is on the North Shore, but it’s either a long walk or a short ride away from the ferry terminal and a lot of the new development. What

City & State New York

September 12, 2016

PROVIDED BY SNUG HARBOR CULTURAL CENTER

are you planning on doing to draw visitors on the ferry over to Snug Harbor?

LK: I think as the waterfront landscape changes, it will feel like less of a walk.

The truth is, it’s only about a mile, but when you walk a mile where there’s retail, parks, things along your walk, you don’t notice it as much. And that’s really what’s shaping with the Wheel and its development – that connection. It’s going to make that connection even feel physically shorter, so that’s a good thing.

In the meantime, once the Wheel is up we’re actually going to have a shuttle. The Wheel is generously providing a shuttle to Snug Harbor on weekends and we’re going to test that out and see what kind of attendance we get. We’re also fortunate that the public transportation, the bus that connects right in the ferry, the bus drivers all know Snug Harbor and announce Snug Harbor at the stop. We’ve actually seen an increase in people taking public transportation.

I think part of what I’m always dealing with in running Snug Harbor, or what a lot of Staten Island people will tell you, is perception is so much harder to combat than reality. People that are not from Staten Island or haven’t been here often have preconceived notions about distance, about who lives there, and when they get here and they actually try it out and get to know locals and get to see how beautiful it is, the perceptions change instantly.

C&S: We’ve heard a ton of complaints about transportation on Staten Island – both with car traffic and public transportation. Are you hopeful that a North Shore rail will ever happen? What’s your ideal transportation future?

LK: If money were no object and I could wave my fairytale public transportation wand, I would go for the obvious, which is: We’re an island. We should be activating our waterfront with waterborne transit.

And I think the connection of additional waterborne transit, particularly from Stapleton or other North Shore areas to Brooklyn, to Manhattan, is really critical.

Yes, would I love to have a North Shore rail here, would I love to have additional services, ground transportation, absolutely! I’d also love to have Citi Bike! It makes no sense to me that we’re the only borough with no Citi Bike, where the ferry could be a perfect connection up and down the North Shore.

But as an island, once again, if we had all the money in the world to do it, because I know it’s very expensive, my first choice

31

would be to try to activate the waterfront.

C&S: Last year, there were worries Snug Harbor would close if it didn’t get more funding, and now you’ve just worked out a new deal with the city to get an additional $400,000 a year, and renegotiated some other aspects. That sounds like a great deal – how’d you convince them?

LK: (Laughs.) It didn’t happen overnight.

It’s something I had been working on since I got here five and a half years ago. And I was fortunate to have the support of my board and, honestly, every single elected official out here. We were unified about our approach to City Hall. It was, “Now is the time.” Staten Island is going through really rapid changes. Snug Harbor is this incredible resource. We could be this arts incubator for all of New York City, we have beautiful spaces, but it’s a mammoth campus to manage. There’s aging infrastructure, 180-year-old buildings, there was an outdated lease with the city. It took a village, so to speak, but we were fortunate that City Hall and this administration listened and worked with us towards a successful outcome. They saw the importance of Snug Harbor in the renaissance of the North Shore and the importance of its sustainability within culture and the arts in New York City.

C&S: Is it enough? Are you comfortable going forward that you’ll be out of fiscal trouble?

LK: I don’t think anyone who manages a site of this magnitude as a nonprofit is

SNUG HARBOR PRESIDENT AND CEO LYNN KELLY

ever going to be 100 percent comfortable.

I think you’re fooling yourself. But I think that we’ve made enormous strides in the right direction and I see blue skies ahead.

C&S: There’s been talk on the Staten Island Advance comment boards that Snug Harbor is a natural location for building new affordable housing. Is that something you’d ever look into, or consider selling off part of the campus for new development?

LK: I don’t read the message boards, so this is the first I’m actually hearing of that.

C&S: Do you think Mayor Bill de Blasio is giving enough attention to Staten Island?

LK: I think he’s done right by Snug Harbor, and that means a lot to me.

SNUG HARBOR CULTURAL CENTER WAS ORIGINALLY A HOME FOR RETIRED SAILORS.

■

32

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

Notice of formation of Drake Communications, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/2/2016.

Office location: NY County.

SSNY designated agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 7014 13th Ave, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Principal business address: 113 Nassau St, New York, NY 10038. Purpose: any lawful act.

PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES SEPTEMBER 12, 2016

For reservations and rates please email: legalnotices@cityandstateny.com or call 212-268-0442, ext. 2017

Notice of Formation of Honeymix LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on May 25, 2016. Office location: NY County.

SSNY designated agent upon whom process may be served against LLC to: 225 W 112th St NY NY 10026. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of Marisa Terol llc. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/12/2016.

Office location: NY County. SSNY designated agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy to principal business address: 189 west 89 Street 18L NY, NY 10024. Purpose any lawful act.

Notice of formation of Grafted Hospitality Group LLC, Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/02/16.

Office location: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: c/o Marzec Law Firm, 225 Broadway Suite 3000, New York, NY 10007. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of 57Crickets60Elm, LLC, Arts of Org filed with Sec of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/01/16. Office location:NY County.

SSNY designated agency upon whom

process may be served against LLC. Principal business address is 3 Wash Square Village, 2-O, NY NY 10012.

Notice of formation of David R Head Jr LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State NY (SSNY) on 6/9/2016.

Office location NY County.

SSNY designated agent upon whom process may be served against LLC to: 7014 13th Ave Set 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228.

Principal business address: & E 14th St. #1219, NY, NY 10003.

Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of formation Trep Spirit, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 7/26/16.

Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC to: Trep Spirit, LLC, PO BOX 325, New York, NY 10024. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Batelion, LLC Org filed with the Secy. Of State of NY (SSNY) on August 17th, 2016.

Office location: NY County.

SSNY designated agent upon whom process may be served against LLC to: United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Business address: 412 E 116th Str, #2, New York, NY 10029. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of formation of Sara Byworth LLC. Art. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 31st May 2016. Office location: NY County.

SSNY designated agent upon whom process may be served against LLC to. 102 Saint Marks Place #2, Brooklyn 11217. Principal address.

102 Saint Marks Place #2, Brooklyn 11217. Purpose: Any

City & State New York

September 12, 2016

lawful activity.

Notice of formation of Somerset Regent LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 8/5/2016.

Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated for service of process.

SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to c/o Law Office of Z Tan PLLC, 110 E 59th St, Ste 3200, New York, NY 10022. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of 79 BAXTER LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/13/2016.

Office located in NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o Raber Enterprises, LLC, 175 Canal St., 2nd Fl., NY NY 10013. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of RPM of Panama City, LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on June 1, 2016. Office: New York County.

LLC formed in Florida (FL) on January 28th, 2016.

Princ. office of LLC: 2012 Tupelo Ct. Panama City, FL 32405.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 170 E 106th St #2F New York, NY 10029. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notification of formation of MOMENTUM FITNESS, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on January 23, 2014. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is: 180

W80 Street, Mezzanine.

New York, NY, 10023.

Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

process to Sherwood Equities, 745 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10151. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of Formation of CEEDS Staffing LLC. Art. of Org. filled with SSNY on April 7, 2016. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 833 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10003. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Soussand Associates, LLC, Art. of Org. filed with Sec’y of State (SSNY) on 5/17/16.

Office location: NY County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Philippe Soussand, 30 E. 85th St., #14B, NY, NY 10028. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of Formation of Awesome Accessories, LLC. Art. of Org. filed with NY Secretary of State (SSNY) July 28, 2016. Office Location: New York County.

SSNY has been designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to principal business address: 324 E. 61st St., #1RE New York, NY 10065 Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of Two Lane Films LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on July 20, 2016. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against theLLC served upon him/her is: Angela Costrini Hariche, 53 Park Place, #4J, New York, NY 10007. The principal business address of the LLC is: 53 Park Place #4J, New York, NY 10007 Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of Sherwood Clinton LLC, Art. of Org. filed with Sec’y of State (SSNY) on 6/20/16. Office location: NY County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of

Notice of Qual. of Silverview CLO LLC, Auth. filed Sec’y of State (SSNY) 3/1/16.

Off. loc: NY Co. LLC org. in DE 2/29/16.

SSNY desig. as agent of LLC upon whom proc. against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of proc. to Att: Adam Hagfors, 40 W. 57th St., NY, NY 10019.

DE off. addr.: CSC, 2711 Centerville Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808.

Cert. of Form. on file: SSDE, Townsend Bldg., Dover, DE 19901. Purp: any lawful activities.

Public Notice – Matter Ventures, LLC Notice of qualification of Matter Ventures, LLC. Application of Authority filed with the Secy. Of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/21/2016. Office location: NY County.

LLC formed in DE on 12/02.2012. SSNY designated agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to principal business address: 421 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94107.

DE address of LLC: Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19901. Certificate of LLC filed with the Secy. of State of DE located at: 401 Federal Street Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of IMPRCR 4115 50TH LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY)

on 05/20/16. Office location: NY County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o RCR Management LLC, 155 Riverside Dr., Ste. 1D, NY, NY 10024.

As amended by Cert. of Amendment filed with SSNY on 06/23/16, name changed to 4115 50TH LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

the LLC upon whom process against may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is: 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202 Brooklyn, NY 11228.

The principal address to the LLC is: 66 Fort Washington Ave #64 New York, NY 10032.

Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of IMPRCR 4541 39TH LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/20/16. Office location: NY County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o RCR Management LLC, 155 Riverside Dr., Ste. 1D, NY, NY 10024.

As amended by Cert. of Amendment filed with SSNY on 06/23/16, name changed to 4541 39TH LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Fair Shake Food LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/12/2016.

Office location: NY County.

SSNY designated agent upon whom process may be served against LLC to: US Corp. Agents, Inc. 7014 13th Ave #202.

Brooklyn, NY 11228.

Principal business address: 360 E 88th St. #8F, NY, NY 10128.

Purpose: any lawful act.

CONTENT LENDING LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/21/2016. Office located in NY County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 535 110th St., Apt. 5D, NY NY 10025. Purpose: any lawful act.

BESSO LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/8/2016. Office located in NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 124 W 93rd St., Apt. 7B, NY NY 10025. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of Diana La Mere, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State to NY (SSNY) On July 12, 2016. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent of

Notice of Formation of 55 HAUS LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on July 14, 2016. Office: New York County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be ser ved. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 220 E. 25th St 4A , NY, NY 10010.

Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of OBBP PARKING OWNER LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/18/16. Office location: NY County.

LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/10/16. Princ. office of LLC: Vanke Holdings USA LLC, Attn: General Counsel, 130 W. 42nd St., 16th Fl., NY, NY 10036. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. DE addr. of LLC: Corporation Service Co., 2711 Centerville Rd., Ste. 400, Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy.

33

of State, Corps. Div., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of RPA RIVINGTON, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/03/16. Office location: NY County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: To hold real and personal property and any other lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of RatetheBiz, LLC. Arts of Organization filed with the SSNY on June 13,2016. Office location: NY County.

SSNY designated agent upon whom process may be served against LLC to: 7014 13th Ave Ste. 202 Brooklyn, NY 11228.

Principal business address: 121 W 36th St. NY, NY 10018. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of 7A MADISON SQUARE LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on August 08, 2016. Office location: New York County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC, 262 WEST 38TH STREET ROOM 1701, and NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10018.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

ADVERTISE HERE

34

CityAndStateNY.com

September 12, 2016

CITY & STATE NEW YORK MANAGEMENT & PUBLISHING Chairman Steve Farbman, President/CEO Tom Allon tallon@cityandstateny.com, Vice President of Strategy Jasmin Freeman, Comptroller David Pirozzi dpirozzi@cityandstateny.com, Business & Sales Coordinator Patrea Patterson

Who was up and who was down last week

TROY WAFFNER – The acting director of the Great New York State Fair must be tickled with the recordbreaking attendance this year. With more than 1.1 million visitors, the fair has attracted its largest crowd ever.

The state has made substantial investments in recent years, which surely contributed to the growing success. And of course, who doesn’t love fried Oreos and a big turkey leg?

OUR PICK

OUR PICK

WINNERS

LOSERS

Labor Day has passed, and that means summer is officially over, your white clothes are being packed away, the kids are back at school and … Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are helping promote Airbnb in New York? Wait, that can’t be right. How about Matt Lauer flubbing a major interview? That’s not it either. Regardless of the Labor Day rules, real and not-so-real, one thing is always constant: our weekly Winners & Losers.

EDITORIAL - editor@cityandstateny.com Editorial Director Michael Johnson mjohnson@ cityandstateny.com, Senior Editor Jon Lentz jlentz@ cityandstateny.com, Albany Reporter Ashley Hupfl ahupfl@cityandstateny.com, Buffalo Reporter Justin Sondel jsondel@cityandstateny.com, City Hall Reporter Sarina Trangle strangle@cityandstateny.com, Managing Editor Ryan Somers, Associate Copy Editor Sam Edsill, Web/Engagement Editor Jeremy Unger, Editorial Assistant Jeff Coltin SLANT Slant Editor Nick Powell npowell@cityandstateny.com, Editor-at-Large Gerson Borrero gborrero@ cityandstateny.com, Slant Columnists Nicole Gelinas, Bruce Fisher, Richard Brodsky, Karen Hinton CREATIVE - creativedepartment@cityandstateny.com Creative Director Guillaume Federighi, Senior Graphic Designer Alex Law, Marketing Designer Charles Flores, Junior Graphic Designer Kewen Chen DIGITAL - digital@cityandstateny.com Digital Manager Chanelle Grannum, Digital Content Coordinator Michael Filippi MULTIMEDIA Multimedia Director Bryan Terry

DAVID DINKINS – The former New York City mayor made headlines when a bicycle deliveryman claimed Dinkins struck him with his car. Dinkins denied it was a hit-and-run, saying he had to get his wife to the hospital before returning to the scene. He also said he hadn’t been aware of the collision, but told police the cyclist had hit him. Whether it’s true or spin, it’s not a news cycle a politician wants.

THE BEST OF THE REST NISHA AGARWAL – state prods

THE REST OF THE WORST BILL DE BLASIO – violence mars

banks to use IDNYC, helping

“safest J’Ouvert in history”

Agarwal’s immigrant agency

CELIA DOSAMANTES – arrested

STEPHEN CASSIDY – governor

for faking donations to get matching

signs firefighter disability benefits bill

funds

ANDREW LANZA – senator’s

ERIC SCHNEIDERMAN – AG gives

brunch bill signed

Hillary Clinton’s charities a pass

JAMES MERRIMAN – charter

HOWARD ZUCKER – health chief

system growing in NYC

grilled again over Hoosick Falls

WINNERS & LOSERS is published every Friday morning in City & State’s First Read email. Sign up for the email, cast your vote and see who won at cityandstateny.com.

ADVERTISING Vice President of Advertising Jim Katocin jkatocin@ cityandstateny.com, Account/Business Development Executive Scott Augustine saugustine@cityandstateny.com, Event Sponsorship Strategist Danielle Koza dkoza@ cityandstateny.com EVENTS - events@cityandstateny.com Events Manager Lissa Blake, Senior Events Coordinator Alexis Arsenault, Events and Marketing Coordinator Jenny Wu

Vol. 5 Issue 35 September 12, 2016

CIT YANDSTATENY.COM

@CIT YANDSTATENY

September 12, 2016

Illustration Alex Law Art Direction Guillaume Federighi CITY & STATE NEW YORK is published weekly 48 times a year except one week in January, August, November and December for $124.99 by City & State NY LLC, 61 Broadway, Suite 2235, NY, NY 10006. Application to mail at periodical postage prices is pending at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: City & State NY, LLC, 61 Broadway, Suite 2235, NY, NY 10006.

General (212) 268-0442 info@cityandstateny.com - Copyright ©2016, City & State NY, LLC

CS0016_FP.indd 1

9/9/16 4:39 PM

Congratulations to our Power 50 Honorees

Vincent Pitta•Jon Del Giorno•Jim Molinaro

Working for Staten Island

PITTA BISHOP DEL GIORNO & GIBLIN LLC

PITTA & GIBLIN LLP

Lobbying | Consulting | Government Relations | Business Development Crisis Management | Fire Safety | Emergency Response | Community & Public Relations

Labor & Employment Law | Employee Benefits Regulatory Compliance | Campaign Finance Compliance

25 HYATT STREET, SUITE 202 • STATEN ISLAND, NY 10301 • TELEPHONE (718) 943-1050 • FACSIMILE (718) 943-1051 Manhattan 120 Broadway, 28th Floor • New York, New York 10271 Telephone (212) 652-3890 • Facsimile (212) 652-3891

Albany 111 Washington Ave, Suite 401 • Albany, New York 12210 Telephone (518) 449-3320 • Facsimile (518) 449-5812

PITTA GIBLIN & BAIONE LLP A 9/11 Victim’s Compensation law firm

120 Broadway, 28th Floor • New York, New York 10271 • Telephone (212) 658-1765 • Facsimile (212) 658-1767

INFO@PITTABISHOP.COM

CS0016_FP.indd 1

9/9/16 1:05 PM