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. 4 September-October 2014 SINCE 1932

ONLINE ISSUE

Our President’s

Message….

Welcome back. I hope everyone enjoyed their Summer. The kids are back in school, the leaves are changing, and

the weather has cooled. Fall is upon us. Here at Columbia that means only one thing; Columbus Day.

Christopher Columbus and Columbus Day have taken a beating of late in the liberal media. Opposition to Colum-

bus Day dates back to the 19th century, when anti-immigrant groups in the United States rejected the holiday because

of its association with Catholicism. Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New

World on October 12, 1492. For many, the holiday is a way of honoring both Columbus’ achievements and celebrat-

ing Italian-American heritage. It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century

but did not become a federal holiday until 1937. That year, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day

a national holiday, largely as a result of intense lobbying by the Knights of Columbus, an influential Catholic fraternal

benefits organization. Originally observed every October 12, it was fixed to the second Monday in October in 1971.

This year in Seattle, a resolution passed unanimously that celebrates the contributions and culture of Native Amer-

icans and the indigenous community on the second Monday in October, the same day as the federally recognized Co-

lumbus Day. This is good news for Native Americans. However, it is at the expense of Italian-Americans and Catho-

lics. It seems to me that Catholics and Italian-Americans are easy prey in today’s media.

On October 13, 2014, Fifth Avenue was transformed during the Columbus Day Parade, the world’s largest cele-

bration of Italian-American culture. The Columbus Day Parade is a fun filled Parade that gets bigger and better every

year. It has become a globally televised event with millions of viewers and over a half million spectators on the

streets. The parade celebrates the spirit of exploration and courage that inspired Christopher Columbus’s 1492 expe-

dition and the important contributions Italian-Americans have made to the United States. Over a dozen high school

bands, as well as virtuosi professional groups from the United States and Italy, marched up Fifth Avenue and filled the

canyons of midtown with joyous, heart-pounding music. Traditional folk groups performed centuries-old dances, and

cutting-edge designs were brought to the parade route in displays of the vibrant culture that is Italy today. It was an

honor and a privilege to participate in this event. I would like to thank the Columbus Citizens Foundation for allowing

us to be a part of this tradition.

After the parade, we had our annual post-parade luncheon at St. Ignatius Loyola church. Comedian Vic Dibitetto

was our Honorary Grand Marshal. He was extremely proud to march with us and had everyone laughing. Mayor Bill

de Blasio even stopped by and addressed the crowd. “I just want to say to all of you, I am so appreciative of every-

thing you do to represent the Italian American community, and your service to the people of New York City,” the

mayor said. The biggest round of applause was reserved for former Chief of Department and Commissioner of the

Office of Emergency Management Joseph Esposito.

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 command

and give said membership to their Borough Trustee. Becoming a delegate can lead to a position on the Board of Offic-

ers. Do you have the time to dedicate to the Columbia Association? If you are interested in becoming a delegate for a

command, please contact your Borough Trustee or any member of the Executive Board.

Richard Angeletti President.

PAGE 2 Columbia News September- October 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,

A new year is around the corner.

As we approach 2015, I ask our dele-

gates to begin contacting your trus-

tee. An early game plan for member-

ship will prove successful. If you are a

delegate, please look for old and new

members. All trustees have names of

the recent graduating class members

that joined the Columbia Association.

Because newly assigned officers in

your command might work odd hours,

they might not cross your path. They

also might not know who you are.

Since member participation benefits

the whole Association, take the extra

initiative and track them down.

Andrew Carraro Editor

PAGE 3 Columbia News September- October 2014

LEGAL

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

In August 2011 the NY State Legislature amended Civil Service

Law 167 which set forth the contribution by the State for it to

pay premiums for health insurance for retirees and dependents.

This amendment gave the NY State Civil Service Commission the

right tO reduce the state’s cOntributiOn fOr health insurance fOr

retirees and dependents.

The retirees brought a lawsuit after the President of the Civil

service cOmmissiOn decided tO decrease the state’s cOntributiOns

for health insurance premiums necessitating the retirees to pay

more.

The retirees organization lost the court case and the court

indicated that since the Legislature determined to give the state

the power to require retirees to pay more for their health insur-

ance that it was not unconstitutional and the case was thereby

dismissed.

This is an interesting amendment to the civil service law in

that it may create an issue as tO whether retirees’ health insur-

ance premium payments by the state/or the city could be reduced,

thereby increasing the payment of the retirees health insurance.

STUART SALLES Attorney

PAGE 4 Columbia News September- October 2014

Birth Announcements

The Columbia Association celebrates the births to the following members.

Columbia Association

Editor

Retired P.O. Andrew Carraro

& Wife Michelle

Baby Girl

Abigail Elise

October 4th, 2015

8lbs, 8 oz 21 inches long

Death Announcements

The Columbia Association Mourns The Loss Of:

۩Pray for the repose soul of

Life member Fred Cornicello

۩Pray for the repose soul of

Life member Salvatore Carcaterra

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon

them.

May they rest in peace.

MEMBERSHIP..............as of Sept 30, 2014

Retired.....................436

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

Delinquent................ 30

DELINQUENT MEMBERS

Santo Barravecchio Joseph Guida

Sal Bonaventura John Lombardo

Stefano Braccini Anthony Lompado

Francis Cammarota John Luongo

Steve Campanella John Magnotti

Glenn Carboni Wlliam Maiurro

Guy Castellano Lois Martano

Michael Cavuto Dawn Oliva

Michael Celentano Paul Petro

Rafael Chireno Thomas Ponzo

Joseph Cipriano Roseann Russo

Richard Cosentino Peter Sceusa

Chris Daly William Soviero

Anthony Damico Joseph Tannuzzo

Paul Galbo Jr Guy Gismondi

DONATION TO SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Michael Incontrera

Family of Life Member Fred Cornicello who donated his $400 death benefit to the Scholarship Fund

PRAYERS

Pray for retired Life Member Ret. Sgt Fred Cornicello who passed on Sept. 20, 2014. We will miss him at the retired table at the General Meetings.

UNTIL THE NEXT ISSUE

STAY SAFE!!!!!!!

Retired Desk

By

NAT

Infurna

Retired members

Financial secretary

PAGE 5 Columbia News September- October 2014

Event Montage

September General Meeting

EVENT Montage

Anthony j. venditti

Motorcycle run

PAGE 6 Columbia News September– October 2014

Event Montage

Columbus day parade

PAGE 7 Columbia News September-October 2014

PAGE 8 Columbia News September-October 2014

upcoming events

General Meetings

November 25, 2014

January 27th , 2015

February 24th , 2015

March 24th , 2015

April 28th, 2015

May 26th , 2015

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

Children’s Christmas Party

December 7th, 2014

9am

Italian Charities

Of America

83-20 Queens Blvd

Elmhurst, NY