And So Should You Difiore’S Star Outshines Pirro Cuomo Taps DA for Chief Judge in NY Highest Court
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
WESTCHESTER’S OLDEST AND MOST RESPECTED NEWSPAPERS Vol 124 Number 50 www.RisingMediaGroup.com Friday, December 11, 2015 Operation Santa Claus: West. Delegation Answers A Westchester Tradition After Silver Conviction From left are Len Spano, Al Ciuffetelli, Santa Claus with Jimmy Dingee, Joe Ciuffetelli, News 12 anchor Janine Rose with a student from the Westchester School for Special Children, former Sen. Nick Spano, Mayor Mike Spano and emcee Carol Wilkinson. One of the great Westchester holiday tradi- “Chippy” Flynn, Roy Lesten, and Nick Spano – tions is the annual Operation Santa Claus holiday who continues to serve as Operation Santa Claus party brunch, which raises funds to assist children honorary chairman. Spano has been out of office and adults with developmental disabilities. This for 10 years but continues his passion of helping year’s brunch was held Dec. 6 at the Fairway’s at those in the community with disabilities. Dunwoodie. Last week, Operation Santa Claus awarded Former Assembly Speaker and now convicted felon Sheldon Silver, left, with former State The tradition of Operation Santa Claus has $15,000 in grants for several area organizations Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, who is also on trial for corruption. been handed down from former State Sens. John Continued on Page 9 The recent conviction of former New exchange for his official acts, and for masking York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver these payments by disguising them as income on seven felony counts of using his official from a personal injury law firm, gives another position to receive nearly $4 million in bribes black mark on the most dysfunctional govern- Santa Visits Habitat – and kickbacks from people and businesses in Continued on Page 8 And So Should You DiFiore’s Star Outshines Pirro Cuomo Taps DA for Chief Judge in NY Highest Court By Dan Murphy Westchester District Attor- ney Janet DiFiore’s selection by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to become the next chief judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York, was leaked out three months ago by either the NY Post, or here in Westchester by the Yonkers Tri- bune, in an apparent effort to test the waters on Westchester’s top cop. The result then was positive, as has been the overall response Santa pays a visit to Habitat for Humanity Westchester’s Christmas shop on Main Street in to Cuomo’s appointment of Di- New Rochelle. Fiore last week. For years, Santa has wanted to open a Christ- incided with the beginning of the first Shop Main For the past three decades, mas shop on one of the oldest and most historic Street Week, and it will remain open throughout Westchester County residents Main Streets in all of the United States, and on the holidays. It is a perfect opportunity for resi- have been protected by two fe- Nov. 19, his wish became a reality. dents and visitors to do some shopping while at the male district attorneys, Jeanine The Habitat for Humanity of Westchester cre- same time supporting a great cause. Pirro and DiFiore. Both came ated the very first pop-up Christmas shop on Main “The true heart and soul of Main Street lies from the same DA DNA – leg- Street, within its 659 Main St. location. within the small businesses, the people and its rich endary Westchester DA Carl “I was honored when Mr. Claus himself asked history,” said Killoran. Vergari – but they differ in style, me to open up this shop,” said Jim Killoran, head Santa himself paid a visit to the shop, along personality and ability to work Elf and CEO of Habitat of Westchester. “We at with the Iona Singers, to give his “Ho, ho, ho” and within the political dynamics of Habitat just want the community to come together, seal of approval. Westchester and New York State. and we feel this Christmas shop will do just that.” For more information, visit www.habitatwc. In addition to her nearly The grand opening of the Christmas shop co- org, or Facebook and Twitter @habitatwc. 10-year tenure as DA, DiFiore DiFiore, who needs to be confirmed by the has years of experience as both a prosecutor State Senate, will be the second female chief judge and judge, with an extensive background in ju- in state history. The first, Chief Judge Judith Kaye, dicial and legal reform. As district attorney she was nominated by Gov. Mario Cuomo. Happy Chanukah! also manages an office of more than 230 people, DiFiore has held her current position as dis- which points to her well-rounded legal back- trict attorney of Westchester County since Janu- ground and were two of the reasons why Cuomo ary 2006, and is now serving her third term as appointed DiFiore and why her appointment was the county’s chief law enforcement officer. Over well received by most of the New York media and the course of her tenure as DA, she has targeted a legal community. broad array of crimes involving everything from “Janet DiFiore is gang-related violence tremendously qualified to identity theft and to serve as chief judge ‘Judge DiFiore’s environmental pollu- of the State Court of tion. She also has con- Appeals,” said Cuomo. stellar career has siderable experience “She has served as both been marked by with domestic violence judge and prosecutor, issues, and has spear- and has spent her ca- great achievements headed efforts to im- reer working to ensure at every turn, and prove the investigation justice and fairness for and handling of child New Yorkers. She has an unstinting abuse cases. led crucial reform ef- commitment to Early in her first forts to make our judi- term, DiFiore also de- cial system both more justice and the signed and launched effective and more ef- fairness of the the Westchester Intel- ficient, and I am con- ligence Center, which fident that she would legal process.’ helps coordinate re- continue this leader- Retiring Chief Judge sources and informa- ship on the Court of tion-sharing among lo- Dr. Jonathan Dzik readies for another Chanukah celebration in Yonkers. Photo by Jonathan Lippman Robert Kalfus. Appeals. I am proud to cal, state and federal law nominate Janet for this enforcement agencies. The eight days of Chanukah celebrate and cate the Temple, only a small cruze of oil, suf- position, because she Prior to beginning remember the determination of the outnum- ficient to light in the Temple only one day, mi- has the strong, balanced experience that New her first term in 2006, DiFiore spent more than bered Hasmonean Jewish fighters, also known raculously lasted instead eight days – the time York needs.” six years on the bench of state and local courts. as the Maccabees (Hebrew for hammer, as they needed to press and produce pure olive oil for DiFiore responded: “I am humbled by the She first served as a Westchester County Court were said to strike hammer blows against their the Temple’s use. incredible honor of being nominated to serve as judge from January 1999 to December 2002, and enemies). When a Greek official attempted to Recalling this miracle, Jews light an in- chief judge of the NYS Court of Appeals. My pro- was later elected to serve as a Supreme Court force Hebrew priest Mattathias to sacrifice to creasing number of candles, starting with one fessional life has been devoted to the fair admin- justice for the New York State Criminal Courts, a pagan god, he and his five sons begin a two- on the first night and increasing the amount of istration of justice, and I would gladly continue Ninth Judicial District from January 2003 to May decade-long revolt against Greek rule. light shed until all eight are lit on the eighth my service to the people of New York on our 2005. In her time on the bench, DiFiore presided In 164 BCE, Jerusalem was recaptured, night of Chanukah, and eat foods fried in oil, state’s highest court. I am grateful to Gov. Cuomo over hundreds of civil and criminal cases on a and in searching for oil to purify and rededi- such as powdered donuts and potato pancakes. for this nomination.” Continued on Page 8 PAGE 2 - EASTCHESTER RISING - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015 Celebrate the Holidays Mobile Food Pantry Collects At Th e Picture House Goods for MV Families Enjoy The Nutcracker at The Pelham Picture House. With the holidays upon us, there’s no bet- success of its 2015 album “Deep End,” the ter place to spend time with friends and fam- UK-based group celebrate a particularly poi- ily and be inspired by fi lm than The Picture gnant year in their history with the release of a House Regional Film Center. With varied fi lm new collection of holiday and winter-themed programming, special advance screenings, pieces, “Yule Songs Vol. II,” and a tour that live music and dance performances, there’s takes the group around the world – including really something for everyone at The Picture its Westchester debut at The Picture House on House this December. Monday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. The Picture House and PACT will team The cost is $50 for a ticket and meet and up to present “Family Time @ TPH” with a greet pass, $30 for an adult ticket or $20 for Friday night screening of the family-favorite children. “The Peanuts Movie” on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. The most highly-anticipated fi lm of 2015 A Kraft Mobile Food Pantry distribution event recently took place in the parking lot at Parker Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and all comes to The Picture House on Thursday, Elementary School.