Distributed with Staten island Advance
#17 FEBRUARY 2012
www.citizensmagazine.com
This special section is written by the Citizens Magazine staff and does not involve the reporting or editorial staff of the Staten Island Advance
We are the Citizens!
W
e are great success of this country. We came here with nothing but enthusiasm and belief in America. Now we are the one of the most rapidly growing economical and political power here. We have extraordinary businessmen like Sergei Brin, brilliant Olimpic athletes like Lenny Krayzelburg, fantastic world champions like feather-weight boxer Dmitry Salita, State Assemblymen like Alex BrookKrasnyi and phenomenal singer-songwriters like Regina Spector. New gen-
Education is the most important thing Sam Pirizzolo, Staten island resident
eration of Russian-American politicians are starting their careers – attorney Continued on page 2
Congratulations to my friends at Citizens Magazine for their fine journalism and substantial contributions to the Staten Island and Brooklyn communities. It is exciting to learn that Citizens Magazine will be distributed in our community as an insert to the Staten Island Advance. The Russian community is growing on Staten Island, not just in population but in its commitment to the civic-mindedness of our borough and city. This publication is vital to project the needs and values, as well as the contributions and successes of the Russian Community. We all benefit as our Russian neighbors eagerly assimilate into this community. This November will be the most important election of our lifetime. It is imperative that our entire community take an active role to ensure that our liberties remain protected from an overreaching government and that we all retain the opportunity to pursue happiness as we, not the as the government, sees it. I encourage Citizen’s Magazine to remain involved by voicing the opinions and concerns of the Russian community and to continue to provide information to the less informed, and most importantly, motivate all to get involved in our political process. Best of luck with the new publication. Frank P. Aversa, First Vice Chair Richmond County Republican Committee
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Janine Materna: I’m a third generation Staten Islander Janine Materna, Staten Island resident
Dear Readers of Citizens Magazine: My name is Sam Pirozzolo and I am proud to be writing to you in the inaugural issue of Citizens Magazine appearing in the Staten Island Advance. I hold the position of President of the Community Education Council of District 31 (Staten Island), also known as CEC 31. CEC 31 is a group of 11 parent volunteers, 9 elected and 2 appointed: • CEC members represent students and parents, acting as advocates for our school district. • Nine of our members must be parents of children attending school in this school district and two members are appointed by the Staten Island Borough President. • We advise the Schools Chancellor & NYC Department of Education about student & parent needs & concerns. • We do NOT work for the Department of Education & are NOT controlled by the DoE. • We receive NO SALARY for holding our positions on the CEC. • Each school district has its own Council but CEC 31 covers the entire borough of Staten Island.
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Voting Irresponsibly Guarantees a Return to The Past By Ralph J. Rubinek, Staten Island resident
• We also participate in shaping the educational programs of the district. Over the last 4 years, CEC 31 has been very active in the Staten Island school system, helping to establish the Middle School Scholars Program, rezoning some North Shore school zones, fighting to get school bus service restored to Staten Island students and requesting that the DoE allow students to carry cell phones so they are safer while traveling to-and-from school. I hope to bring you information on educational matters of interest to Staten Island parents, including discussions on school report cards, legislative topics, school progress reports and other subjects that affect your schoolchildren. My writings will focus on broad educational themes - not to offer advice on individual concerns- but to help parents navigate the NYC Department of Education, learn about Staten Island schools and become more involved in your children’s education. At CEC 31 our motto is “Helping You to Help Your Children”. I hope to do that for the readers of Citizens Magazine. Sincerely, Sam Pirozzolo President, CEC 31 www.cec31.org
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My view on “Obamacare” By Dr. V. Gressel, Brooklyn resident