Columbia Association of the Police Department, City of New York

COLUMBIA News

Affiliated with the National Council of Columbia Associations

In Civil Service, Inc. and the National Coalition of

Italian American Law Enforcement Organizations

Fraternity n Integrity n Charity

VOL.48, NO. 2 March—April 2014 SINCE 1932

ONLINE ISSUE

Our President’s

Message….

Hello everyone. It looks as though the cold weather has finally left us. The flowers are blooming and Spring is

in the air. Before you know it, it will be Memorial Day and Summer 2014 will be upon us. I hope everyone had a

joyous Easter with their families. I would like to wish a Happy belated Mother’s Day to all of the moms out

there. We have been extremely busy here at Columbia so I apologize for the newsletter being slightly behind

schedule.

Our 82nd Annual Dinner Dance was held on May 2nd at El Caribe in Brooklyn. Over five hundred people

turned out to support our organization as well as our honorees. Deputy Commissioner of Administration Cath-

leen Perez became the first female recipient of our Joseph Petrosino award. Commissioner Perez has been a tre-

mendous supporter of our organization as well as ALL fraternal and religious organizations in the NYPD. She

was truly honored to receive this award and gave a terrific acceptance speech.

Our Italian-American Achievement award was bestowed upon Lauren Simonetti from FOX Business News.

Lauren is a successful, Italian-Amercian, native New Yorker who takes pride in her ethnicity. She was thrilled to

be a part of our event. In fact, she spoke about it on-the-air with Rosanna Scotto & Greg Kelly.

Our prestigious Medal of Valor awards were given to some very worthy recipients this year. These awards are

named after Past President and Life Member Lieutenant Mario Biaggi, Patrolman Michael Melchiona of the New

York City Transit Police Department and Patrolman Arthur Pelo of the New York City Housing Authority Police

Department. I would like to personally congratulate all three of these award recipients; Sergeant Anthony Gulot-

ta, Detective Nicholas Romano, and Police Officer Stephen DiMario. Your courage under extreme pressure

makes each of you worthy of these prestigious awards.

The Columbia Association Philanthropist Award was bestowed upon James Conigliaro, founder and owner

of Cambridge Floral Design, a successful floral and hardscape company. James is a first generation Italian-

American with family roots in Palermo, Sicily and was honored not only for his success, but for his kindness and

generosity. He has been a true friend to this organization and is a truly deserving recipient of this award.

Our Columbia Association Entrepreneur Award was presented to Louis Bartolotta of AgustaWestland. Louis

presently holds the position of Senior Advisor, Commercial Business Unit North America, located at Agusta-

Westland’s facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Our next big event is our Annual Golf Outing. This year’s event will be held at the Pelham/Split Rock course

in The Bronx. This is always a terrific event so get your foursomes early. Administrative Guide 304-07,

“Function/Event Sponsored by a Department Religious, Line or Fraternal Organization,” provides guidelines for

the excusal of members of the service to attend this, and all events sponsored by a Fraternal Organization.

Lastly, do you think you have what it takes to be a Columbia Association delegate? We are always looking

for members in good standing to become delegates. Delegates are responsible to register members of their com-

mand and give said membership to their Borough Trustee. Becoming a delegate can lead to a position on the

Board of Officers. Do you have the time to dedicate to the Columbia Association? If you are interested in be-

coming a delegate for a command, please contact your Borough Trustee or any member of the Executive Board.

Richard Angeletti President.

PAGE 2 Columbia News March—April 2014

Executive Board President Richard Angeletti (718) 822-5815

1st Vice President Emanuel Rossi (845) 902-0175

2nd Vice President Kendra Damante (718) 972-7871

Executive Secretary Louis J. Balsamo (718) 845-2201

Treasurer Anthony Burgio (212) 741-4851

Recording Secretary Christopher J. Pizzo (516) 318-3545

Corresponding Sec Anthony Quagliariello (646) 210-9170

Sergeant At Arms Salvatore Ferrante (718) 637-4151

Editor Andrew Carraro (718) 869-9988

Public Relations John DelGaudio (917) 757-1456

Financial Secretaries

Manhattan Louis Corrente (212) 477-9790

Brooklyn Vincent Aprea (718) 629-1220

Queens Matthew Cioffi (718) 476-7595

Bronx Steven Berger (718) 548-1250

Staten Island John Peruffo (718) 815-8608

Retiree's Nat Infurna (516) 747-1389

Trustees Manhattan R.J. Coleman (212) 258-2840

Manhattan Michael Alfieri (917) 575-0009

Manhattan Russ Marauro (212) 239-9801

Brooklyn Brett Raso (516) 476-2752

Brooklyn Michael Spezio (646) 634-7223

Brooklyn John Passarella (516) 512-7015

Queens Stephen Salazer (718) 533-2011

Queens Dyanne Marzano (718) 279-5200

Bronx Rocco Ruscitto (914) 755-0606

Bronx Richard Citarella (718) 292-6161

Staten Island Alessandro Pizzirusso (718) 876-8956

Citywide Michael Mongelli (516) 732-5961

Directors & Advisors Life Member Rep Phil Rapaci Sr. (718) 758-4475

Special Assistant to

the President Phil Panzarella (631) 965-7290

Travel. John Martini (718) 848- 1858

Health Dr. Brian Mignola (718) 816-9056

Health Dr. Joseph J. Ciuffo (718) 541-8962

Legal Stuart Salles (212) 267-9090

Legal James Moschella (212) 233-3800

Spiritual DC Msgr. Robert Romano (646) 610-6472

Spiritual Msgr. David Cassato (718) 259-9146

Past Presidents Anthony Cesarano (646) 529-4310

Frank Ventura (212) 610-6910

Paul DiGiacomo (212) 587-1000

Giovanni Porcelli (718) 702-2200

Stephen P. Chiarini (516) 887-5737

John Bucalo 631) 669- 9023

The

editOr’s

Spot

New York City Police Department

Columbia Association

Board of Officers wwwnypdcolumbia.org

Hello Columbia,

Attention. Below is a required posting of pro-posed by-law changes.

{Rev February 08, 2000}

Section 6:

Absence:

Upon failure of a board member to appear at more than three regular or special meetings within a calendar year, without a proper and reasonable excuse, such as sickness, working duty chart of the Police Department, absent from the city, etc., he shall be reported by the President to the Board of Directors at a board meeting for such action as they deem proper to take. {End of Rev.}

(Rev March 12, 2014)

Section 6:

Absence:

Upon failure of a board member to appear at more than three regular (3) or special meetings within a twelve (12) month period, without a proper and reasonable excuse to be deter-mined by the President, such as sickness, ab-sent from the city, etc., he or she shall be re-ported by the President to the disciplinary committee at a board meeting for such action as they deem proper to take. {End of Rev.}

Andrew Carraro Editor

PAGE 3 Columbia News March—April 2014

LEGAL

LINES Messages from your Columbia Association Attorneys Stuart Salles and James Moschella

My practice involves pension disability applications as well as Social Security Disability benefits,

some of my columns will report interesting cases in those areas.

There were three landmark cases decided by the New York State Court of Appeals involving two

officers seeking accidental disability retirement benefits and the surviving spouse of another officer who

made a claim for line of duty death benefits, all involving illnesses contracted by police officers having

worked at the World Trade Center and having been exposed to fumes and toxicants, etc. These three

cases all involved whether their disability and/or death was a result of a qualifying condition – which under

the law was presumed to be caused by his or her exposure at the World Trade Center - for benefits up-

grade.

Under the law, there is a presumption afforded to people exposed at the World Trade Center site,

that any illness contracted was a result of that exposure. The pension fund has the right to rebut that pre-

sumption. In all three cases, the Court of Appeals determined that the pension fund was incorrect in

denying the benefits as requested.

Ordinarily, in a request for accidental disability retirement benefits the burden is on the person

seeking the benefit to substantiate his/her claim. However, the legislature of the State of New York creat-

ed a new law which created a presumption in favor of these benefits for all police officers who performed

rescue, recovery or clean up operations at certain locations including the World Trade Center and the

Fresh Kills landfill.

Normally, the burden is on the officer seeking the extra benefit. However, under this law, there is

a presumption that the officer is entitled to receive the benefit, switching to the pension system, if it

chooses, the opportunity to try to rebut that presumption. I quote the section of the law which states as

follows: “Notwithstanding any provisions of this code or of any general, special or local law, charter or

rule or regulation to the contrary, if any condition or impairment of health is caused by a qualifying World

Trade Center condition as defined in Section 2 of Retirement and Social Security Law, it shall be presump-

tive evidence that it was incurred in the performance and discharge of duty and the natural proximate re-

sult of an accident not caused by such members own willful negligence.”

The officer must have participated in the operations at any of the enumerated locations for any pe-

riod of time within 48 hours after the first airplane hit – or a total of 40 hours accumulated at any time

between September 11, 2001 and September 12, 2002. In those cases, there was no dispute that the offic-

ers had met the requirement and had worked at the location during the period of time. On all three cas-

es, the Medical Board recommended denial of the officer’s application.

Court proceedings ensued and ultimately the case went to the New York Court of Appeals for its

decision.

In all three cases, the Court of Appeals held that the Board of Trustees was incorrect in denying

their request for benefits indicating that the officers – and the spouse of the deceased officer, was able to

establish the officer’s exposure during the period of time working at the site and that the pension Board of

Trustees had not overcome the presumption and, therefore, the request by the officers was granted.

Any officer that has a question on the World Trade Center issues as raised in these three cases

can call me or email me. The telephone number is (212) 267-9090 or email: Stuartsalles@gmail.com.

Stuart Salles

PAGE 4 Columbia News March- April 2014

Birth Announcements

The Columbia Association celebrates the births to the following members.

Lt John Guzzo DCMB

Wife Emily Guzzo

Baby Jane Victoria born 3-15-2014

6 lbs 12 oz. 19.7 in

P.O. Keith Guzzetta 108 pct

Wife Shari

Big bro Thomas

Baby Bella Rose born 4-6-2011

————————————————

Death Announcements

The Columbia Association Mourns The Loss Of:

۩Pray for the repose soul of

Life member Alfred J. Baffuto ۩Pray for the repose soul of

Life member Andrew C Mante ۩Pray for the repose soul of

Life member Richard J. Nicastro ۩Pray for the repose soul of

Active member Sgt. Paul Namorato ۩Pray for the repose soul of

Concetta(Jean) Milazzo, mother of Life Member Joseph Milazzo

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace.

MEMBERSHIP: as of Mar. 31, 2014

Retired..........................352

Life..............................1052

2014 Dues is $25.00

Send check made out to Columbia Asso-ciation NYPD

Mail it to Nat Infurna

188 Brown St

Mineola NY 11501

DEATH BENEFIT: If you would like to donate your death benefit to the Colum-bia Scholarship Fund for a one time tax deduction send me a letter in writing of your intentions.

PRAYERS: Pray for Ret. Life Mem-ber Fred Cornicello who is sick in a rehab center and all members sick at home or confined to a nursing home. Also all members on patrol to keep them safe.

Until the next issue CIAO !!!!

Retired Desk

By

NAT

Infurna

Retired members

Financial secretary

PAGE 5 Columbia News March– April 2014

Meeting Montage

February 2014

Meeting Montage

March 2014

PAGE 6 Columbia News March –April 2014

Event Montage

Cigars under the stars

PAGE 7 Columbia News March –April 2014

PAGE 8 Columbia News March –April 2014

2014 schedule of events

General Meetings

May 27

June 24

September 23

October 13 *

November 25

All meeting are held at the

Italian Charities of America

83-20 Queens Blvd

Elmhurst, NY

*October General Meeting is held Post Columbus Day Parade

Events

June 6th

Annual Golf Outing

June 20th

Annual Fishing Trip

July 27th

Annual Lake George trip

Sept 21st

Anthony J. Venditti

Annual Motorcycle Run

See Flyer on Page 9

See Flyer on Page 10

See Flyer on Page 11

Flyer to Follow

PAGE 9 Columbia News March—April 2014

PAGE 10 Columbia News March—April 2014

PAGE 11 Columbia News March– April 2014