COLUMBIA NEWS - NYPD Columbia Association

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 Integrity n Charity
n
VOL.46, NO. 2
March — April
2012
SINCE 1932
Our President’s Message….
Hello all of Columbia:
The Columbia Association is
honored to announce that this
year’s Columbia Association Man
of the Year and receiving the
prestigious Lieutenant Joseph
Petrosino Award is Assistant
Chief Alfred J. Materasso,
Executive Officer of the Detective
Bureau. The Columbia Association
is honored to announce that this
year’s
Columbia
Association
Humanitarian Awards will be
awarded to businessmen, Jerome
Bollettieri
and
Anthony
Guido. The Columbia Association is honored to
announce that this year’s Columbia Association ItalianAmerican Achievement Award will be awarded to Mike
DeVito of the New York Jets. The Columbia Association
is honored to announce this year’s Columbia Association
Valor Award recipients. Lieutenant Mark Torre of the
NYPD Bomb Squad will be awarded the prestigious
Lieutenant Mario Biaggi Award for Valor. Drug
Enforcement Administration Special Agent Anthony
Scotto will be awarded the prestigious Police Officer
Michael Melchiona Award for Valor and Police Officer
Ralph Stallone will be awarded the prestigious Police
Officer Arthur Pelo Award for Valor. The Columbia
Association’s annual awards dinner will be held on Friday
May 4, 2012 at El Caribe located in Brooklyn. Please show
support for the honorees and our organization and attend
this event with as many Columbia members as possible.
Please check the Columbia Association’s website for the
Journal Advertisements and send them back as soon as
possible. These Journal NYPD Columbia Association
Awards Dinner adver sements are time sensitive.
The college scholarship examination took place
on Wednesday March 28, 2012. It was held at the Police
Academy located at 235 East 20th Street New York, New
York. I want to personally thank Mitchell Levey of the
Police Reserve Association for his contributions and
generosity in making this event a success. In the future, a
completed application must be filed with the Columbia
Association and the Police Reserve Association prior to
the exam. The High School Scholarship examination took
place on Saturday March 31, 2012. It was held at the
Italian Charities of America Building located at 83-20
Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst, New York. Congratulations
and the best of luck to all those participating in these
events. I would be remiss if I did not personally thank
Board Officer’s Louis Corrente and Dyanne Marzano who
coordinated these two events.
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The event was
completely sold out and it was a great success. If you are
a hockey fan then this was the hockey game to be present
at. It was a battle between both New York teams. The
score went back and forth. Unfortunately, only one New
York team was victorious. The day belonged to the New
York Islanders. I want to personally thank Board Officer
Christopher Pizzo for all his efforts in coordinating this
event and for making this event successful.
The Columbia Association hosted its annual cigar
event at the exclusive Club Macanudo on Friday March
23, 2012 at 6:00 PM. This event was sold out as usual. A
great time was had by all participants that attended.
Special thanks go to all of the Labor Unions especially the
PBA, DEA, SBA, LBA and CEA and to all of the Fraternal
Organizations that participated in this event and for their
generosity and support for the Columbia Association
events that are held throughout the year. Special thanks
go to Board Officer’s Richard Angeletti and RJ Coleman
for all their hard work in making this event a great
success. A special thanks goes to Michael Herklots
representing cigar company Nat Sherman and Ibrahim
Amer representing cigar company Havana Puff Cigars for
their generous donations.
I would like to take this opportunity to
congratulating the Chief of the Organized Crime Control
Bureau, Chief Anthony J. Izzo, on receiving the Order
Sons of Italy in America, Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino
Lodge #285 “Man of the Year” Award at their 12th Annual
Dinner Dance held on April 15, 2012 at Russo’s on the
Bay. The Order Sons of Italy in America Lodge #285
retained the Lodge number from Lieutenant Joseph
Petrosino’s actual lieutenant’s shield number. Organized
Crime Control Bureau Chief Anthony J. Izzo also received
the prestigious Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino award at a
ceremony held in Padula Italy in 2007. This award is given
in honor of Lieutenant Giuseppe Petrosino who was killed
in March 1909 and is the only member of the New York
City Police Department to lose his life in the line of duty
on foreign soil.
I would also like to take this opportunity to
congratulate our very own retired First Deputy
Commissioner and Newly Appointed as New York State
Supreme Court, Judge George A. Grasso who is the
Supervisory Judge for Arraignments for the City of New
York. In his new role, Judge George A. Gasso will
monitor arraignment operations in all five boroughs,
identify issues that may affect the arraignment process and
modify, develop and implement procedures to maximize
effectiveness in reducing arrest-to-arraignment times. He
will also serve as liaison to district attorneys, the defense
The Columbia Association hosted the Rangers vs.
bar, the NYPD and the mayor's office, while continuing to
Islander game at 7:00 PM on Friday February 24, 2012 at
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Columbia News
March - April 2012
President’s Message Continued….
hear cases in Brooklyn Criminal Court. This is a welldeserved promotion and the Columbia Association is very
proud of this accomplishment.
I would be remiss if I did not congratulate the
Columbia Association’s Bronx Financial Secretary Steve
Berger and his lovely wife Detective Luz Pagan on their
recent matrimony. The wedding ceremony was held on
March 30th, 2012. Congratulations to both of you and the
Columbia Association wishes the very best.
One of the objectives during my Presidency was
to increase the Columbia Association membership. The
Columbia Association is the only fraternal organization in
the history of the Police Department to offer its members
automatic payroll deductions. The annual membership
dues are only $25.00. Let us push to increase membership.
If you have not paid your dues for 2012 please see your
delegate or any Board Officer and support your
organization. The expression goes; we are only as strong
as our weakest link. You can download a membership
application on the Columbia website which is
www.nypdcolumbia.org. You can now register online
through NYCAPS Employee Self-Service (ESS) for
automatic payroll deduction for membership in the
Columbia Association. The website is www.nyc.gov/ESS. It
is incumbent upon all Columbia Association members to
be a steward for the organization and try to sign up as
many members as possible. If your Precinct does not have
a delegate, then take it upon yourself to become the
delegate. There is a lot of Italian American Police Officer
that work in various units throughout the Police
Department but do not join our illustrious organization
for a variety of reasons. The members “fall through the
cracks” as the expression goes. If there are any commands
throughout the city that does not have a Columbia
Association Delegate, notify the Columbia Association as
soon as possible. If you are interested in becoming a
Columbia Delegate notify the Columbia Association as
soon as possible. Here are some of the many benefits
offered by the Columbia Association. Every month the
Columbia Association has a general meeting. These
general meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of the
month. There are no general meetings in the months of
July and August. In the month of October there is no
general meeting because we march in the Columbus Day
Parade. There is no general meeting in December because
we host the annual children’s Christmas Party. The general
meetings are fully catered events with excellent food, soda
and water. There are monthly guest speakers that
disseminate informative information for the membership.
The Police union representatives speak at every general
meeting and disseminate information about the contracts
or other relative information regarding their respective
unions. There are raffle prizes at these general meetings.
There are many annual events that the Columbia
Association provides for their membership. The Columbus
Day Parade held in October. This is where the
organization shines. The Columbia Association leads the
parade march up Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue in a sea of blue.
At the end of the parade route there is a fully catered
Columbus Day parade luncheon. The annual awards
dinner, held at the El Caribe Catering Hall located in
Brooklyn, with honorees, celebrities and raffle prizes. A
catered children’s Christmas party attended by Santa
Claus and Santa himself giving out presents. The annual
golf outing held at the Clearview golf course centrally
located in Queens. The annual fishing trip, held on Captain
Jim’s charter boat sailing out of Freeport Long Island. The
annual Cigar event, held at the exclusive Club Macanudo
in New York City. Then there are the Columbia
Association annual scholarship awards. Ten high
school awards and ten college award totaling ten
thousand dollars are distributed to the children of
Columbia Association members. The Columbia
Newspaper which is filled with information about the
membership. Columbia Association merchandise, Tshirts, coffee mugs, pins and hats. There are regular
networking opportunities with all the members of the
Columbia Association, from a civilian member to the
Police Commissioner.
The Columbia Association Scholarship Award
Raffles were mailed out to all Columbia members.
Send the Columbia Association Scholarship Award
Raffle books back along with your annual membership
dues as soon as possible. The Columbia Association
Scholarship Award Raffle prize winners will be
selected on October 8, 2012 at the Columbus Day
Parade luncheon. Special thanks go to Board Officer
Emanuel Rossi for all his hard work in coordinating
the Columbia Association Scholarship Award Raffles.
These are some of the upcoming events that
are on the radar. Check the Columbia website
frequently to keep abreast of all pertinent
information.
The Columbia Association website is
www.nypdcolumbia.org. Until next time, stay true to
the Columbia Association.
.
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Columbia News
Editor’s spot
March - April 2012
New York City Police Department
Columbia Association
Board of Officers
wwwnypdcolumbia.org
Executive Board
President ...............Anthony Cesarano............... (212) 274-4142
1st Vice President .....Rich Angeletti...................(718) 822-5815
2nd Vice President ......Emanuel Rossi.................(845) 902-0175
Executive Secretary .....R.J Coleman..................(212) 258-2840
Treasurer ................Kendra Damante.................(718) 972-7871
Recording Secretary.....Christopher Pizzo........ (212) 477-7444
Corresponding Secretary....Tony Quagliariello. (646) 210-9170
Sergeant At Arms ....Sal Ferrante….....................(718) 875-6850
“Mr Italy”
Ciao, My Fellow Paisans
I would like to start out by congratulating our own
Bronx Financial secretary Steven Berger on his recent
Marriage to Luz Pagan. May god bless you both.
I recently stumbled upon a New Release documentary
film by New York own John Tuturro. The film is called
“Passione” and is about Neapolitan Music. The movie
is filmed in both Italian and English and takes place in
Naples, Italy. The director takes you on a magnificent
journey through the Italian countryside while listening
to a range of songs both new and old. Please visit
www.passionefilm.com for more information.
Recently, Chief Anthony Izzo of the Organized Control
Bureau was presented with a well-deserved award
from the Sons of Italy, Joseph Petrosino Lodge. He was
recognized as a real Italian American Crime fighter
who represents what Italian Americans are today and
not what the media, television and film industry portray as “Mobsters, or Mafioso”. Chief Izzo gave a great
inspirational speech upon receiving this prestigious
award. Congratulations Chief Anthony Izzo, job well
done!
There are several events coming up and it would be
great to get a big turnout. On May 4th the Columbia
Association will be hosting its Annual Awards Dinner
and Dance at the El Caribe in Brooklyn. On May 18th
we will hosting our annual Golf Fundraiser at the beautiful Clearview Golf Course. Immediately following will
be a luncheon at Valentino’s on the Green, a Five Star
Italian Restaurant located right next door to the Golf
Course. Tickets are still available for both events so
come and join us.
In June will be the annual Fishing Trip on Captains
Jims Charter out of Freeport, Long Island see our website for more information. This is a fun event, everyone
has a great time and we may even catch fish!
All events can be paid for by credit card via PayPal via
our website www.nypdcolumbia.org.
Please save this date and join Deputy Chief Monsignor
Robert Romano, Thursday June 28th at 11 am for,
Joseph Petrosino Memorial Mass. Our Lady of Guadalupe RC Church, 7201 15th Avenue Brooklyn, NY. Refreshments will be served following mass.
P.S. During my surfing I stumbled upon a great Italian
station that plays Italian music from the 60,70,80,90s
and today. it is http://www.ciaoitaliaradio.net/. You
can use your smartphone and scan the QR code below:
Ciao, Louis J. Balsamo… Editor
Editor .......................Louis Balsamo................... (718) 845-2201
Public Relations Dir….....John DelGaudio............(917) 757-1456
Financial Secretaries
Manhattan …………...Anthony Burgio….… (212) 741-4811
Brooklyn……….……..Vincent Aprea……... (718) 629-1220
Queens …………….....Matthew Cioffi…….. (718) 476-7595
Bronx………………....Steven Berger……… (718) 548-1250
Staten Island ……....John Peruffo..……… (718) 876-7606
Retiree’s………….…..Nat Infurna ………… (516) 747-1389
Life Member………….Phil Repaci Sr……... (718) 758-4475
Trustees
Manhattan………….Russ Maturo………...…(212) 239-9801
Manhattan………….Louis Corrente……...…(212) 477-9790
Manhattan………... Andrew Carraro…..….(212) 927-3200
Brooklyn…………....Michael Mongelli……..(516) 732-5961
Brooklyn…..………….Brett Raso…………….(516) 476-2752
Brooklyn…………….Michael Spezio………..(917) 531-7787
Queens………………Stephen Salazer……….(718) 533-2011
Queens………………Dyanne Marzano…..….(718) 279-5200
Bronx……………. ...Richard Citarella…… .(718) 292-6161
Bronx………………..Rocco Ruscitto….…….(914) 755-0606
Staten Island ………...Michael Alfieri...…… (917) 575-0009
Citywide……….....Alessandro Pizzirusso…(718) 876-8959
Directors & Advisors
Special Assistant to the President: Phil Panzarella …(631) 965-7290
Travel..................................John Martini.............(718) 848- 1858
Health……………………….………Dr. Brian Mignola
(718) 816-9056
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
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
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Columbia News
Financial Secretaries Corner
March - April 2012
Financial Secretaries Corner
Manhattan
Bronx
Anthony Burgio
Steven Berger
Greetings! Hoping you and your
families had a Happy Easter! Our
Cigar Night, which was held at Club
Macanudo in Manhattan, was a great
success! Thank you to all of the
membership who came to the event to
support us! If you still haven't paid
your 2012 dues, please see your Precinct Delegate, any Board Officer, or
you can do so online via ESS. It is
not too late. Also, a big thank you
to the Manhattan Columbia Association delegates for doing a great job so far in 2012 with signing up
members. Your hard work is greatly appreciated! Until next time,
be safe and wear your vests!!
To my fellow Bronx Columbia members
A new year is upon us. Lets make this
year a good one. Every current member
should go out and recruit as many members as possible. Membership is the
backbone of this organization. Everyone
should take advantage of the new enrollment for the Columbia Ass. in the CAPS
system. Also, anyone interested in becoming a delegate in their command,
Please contact Steve Berger 917-4406202. Stay Safe.
Staten Island
Brooklyn
John Peruffo
Vincent Aprea
Bongiorno! Spring is in the air and
that means the annual dinner dance
is soon here. I hope to see a strong
showing from our Brooklyn members. I still want to stress the importance of membership in our
great association. Delegates I encourage you to bring in new members and to the members I urge you
to sign up new member all year
long. I cannot stress the value of
fraternity enough. It's that which
brought me to meet the finest people and made me able to be part of the Emergency Service Unit
and Aviation Unit. Being a Columbia member has benefits that go
beyond the parade and dinner dances. Let's make the Brooklyn
membership the shining example of what fraternity is about
Queens
Matthew Cioffi
Greetings from the great Boro of
Queens ! I would like to welcome new
Delegates Tom Diorio of the 106 Pct
and Sgt Lisa Holmes of PSA 9. Go get
'em ! I would be remiss if I didn't mention the terrific efforts of Steve Dinko
and Corso of the 107 Pct. and Det
John Bellico of the 100 squad-your
efforts have not gone unnoticed or
unappreciated ! Congrats to Lt Pete
Libranti on his promotion and reassignment as co delegate at the 103
Pct. His presence will aid the already
great job undertaken every year by PO Rich Anzalone. Any delegates I didn't mention May rest assured that I haven't forgotten
you . God Bless and everyone stay safe !
Greetings from Staten Island
Please see your Delegates to pay your
2012 membership dues. I would like to
have more of the Staten Island membership attend the our general meetings.
The meetings are fun and informative.
We all can get to know one another better. We do car pool from the V.Z. Bridge
monument to make it more convenient
with the cost of tolls and travel. General
meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of
the month. You can contact me at anytime.
John.Peruffo@nypd.org
All the Best !!
Life Member
Phil Repaci Sr.
Well we got away without using the
snow blower this year. and that was a
great relief.
On a great milestone Life member
Edward J Dondero reached his 100th
birthday Dec. 28 2011. Eddie came on
in 1938 and was assigned to the old
4th Pct. After that he was assigned to
the 30 pct. In 1961 he became a PBA
delegate in the 3 0, when John
Cassese was president. Eddie retired
in 1985 and lives in Bronxville with
his daughter Arlene. All of your Columbia brothers and sisters wish you a Happy Birthday and good health in the next 100
years.
We would all sign a contract today if we could reach that milestone.
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Columbia News
March - April 2012
Death Announcements
RETIRED DESK:
By Nat Infurna
Retired Financial Secretary
MEMBERSHIP as of Mar.31,2012
The Columbia Association Mourns
The Loss Of:
Retired..............................401
Life...................................1120
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Delinquent......................
Life member Catello Pacelli, tax# 837579 passed away. Formerly of the 24pct. he passed away Nov.27 2011.
35
Dues for retired members is $25.00 Make check payable
to COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION NYPD and send to
۩Pray for the repose soul of
NAT INFURNA
Life member Lawrence Santelli, tax#831983 passed away
2/28/12.
188 BROWN ST
۩Pray for the repose soul of
MINEOLA NY 11501
Louis Massimillo, son of life member Anthony
Massimillo passed away.
۩Pray for the repose soul of
SCHOLARSHIP DONATION
Ann Maida wife of life member Joseph Maida passed away.
Paul Petro
Please consider donating you $400 death benefit to the
SCHOLARSHIP FUND for a one time tax deduction.
Thanking you in advance.
PRAYERS
For Louis Massimillo son of Life Member Anthony
Massimillo
Pray for all members sick at home or confined to a
nursing home and all members on patrol to keep them
safe.
۩Pray for the repose soul of
It is with great sadness that I report the death of Vincent D'Angelo. He is a cousin of REMA member NYPD Deputy Chief
Chaplain Monsignor Robert J Romano. Vincent was only
twenty-three years old and succumbed to Leukemia. He had
fought the disease for many years, but finally lost his battle in
Florida. He left this world much too soon. There will be a service and burial in Florida. I am requesting prayers for the soul
of Vincent and for Monsignor Romano's entire family.
May Vincent be granted peace and may he share in the
glory of heaven for eternity with God.
EVENTS
Next General Meeting Apr.24, 2012 at 7 PM
Dinner Dance El Caribe May 4. 2012
Wedding Announcements:
Golf Outing May 18, 2012
HAVE A HOLY AND HAPPY EASTER !
Until the next issue CIAO!!
Note: Please consider donating your $400 death benefit to
the Scholarship Fund for a one time tax deduction.
RETIRED DELINQUENT MEMBERS
FRANK ARMENIA
JOHN MARONE
VALERIE BUSCEMI
LEON MELNICK
MARK CAPALBO
PAUL MUSCHITIELLO
DOMINICK CONSOLE
SCOTT NASTAZIO
ANDREW DESTEFANO
AL NERI
ANTHONY FRANZESE
DAWN OLIVA
RITA PEARL
JAMES GUMA
MICHAEL PIOLO
Luz Pagan
FRANCIS RELLA
JOSEPH IORIO
JOE SORRENTINO
NICOLAS LAPADULA
MIKE SPAGNUOLO
RICHARD LOENZO
AL VACCARO
DAVE VIGADA
Now married to
NICK PANDOLFO
BEVERLY GROSS
MICHAEL INCONTRERA
Steven Berger
GUY MURATORE
MICHAEL CIABURRI
PAUL GALBO
Bronx Financial Secretary
JOHN ZERILLO
Congratulations!!!
PAGE 6
Columbia News
New Movies
Passione
Directed by
NY’s Own
John Turturro
March - April 2012
Here are some reviews:
.
“The attention you give this movie will be
gloriously repaid”
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
“A must see. Passione is the Beuna Vista Social
Club of Naples. I love this Movie”
“A beautifully structured and photographed film,
John Turturro’s rapturous ‘Passione’ offers a vibrant
exploration and celebration of Neapolitan music in all
its grit and glory…”
“Passione is a surprise and a delight
from beginning to end.”
For more information visit:
http://www.passionefilm.com/
Did you know this
famous person was
Italian?
(born February 28, 1957) is an American actor, writer and director
known for his roles in the films Do the Right Thing(1989), Miller's
Crossing (1990), Barton Fink (1991), Quiz Show (1994), The Big Lebowski (1998), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) and
the Transformers film series.
He has appeared in over sixty films, and has worked frequently with
the Coen brothers, Adam Sandler and Spike Lee.
Turturro was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Katherine, an
amateur jazz singer who worked in a Navy yard during World War II,
and Nicholas Turturro, a carpenter and construction worker who
fought as a Navy sailor in D-Day. Turturro's mother was Sicilian
(fromAragona near Agrigento) and his father emigrated
from Giovinazzo, Bari, Italy at the age of six. Turturro was raised a
Roman Catholic and moved to the Rosedale section of Queens, New
York with his family when he was six.
Graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz.
“Turturro is a Highly talented, lightly built Italian American actor who
always looks unsettled and jumpy has become a favourite of
cult/arthouse film aficionados with his compelling performances in a
broad range of cinematic vehicles.”
Jimmy Kimmel
“Jimmy Kimmel was born in the Mill Basin neighborhood of
the New York City borough of Brooklyn, the eldest of three
children of Joann (née Iacono), a homemaker, and James
Kimmel, an IBM executive. He is Roman Catholic and, as a child,
served as an altar boy. Kimmel is of German and Irish descent
on his father’s side and Italian descent on his mother’s side.
His uncle, Frank Potenza, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a
regular from 2003 until his death in 2011”
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Columbia News
Italy Today
March - April
2012
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Columbia News
“Festa della Primavera,” a spring festival, is held many
parts of Italy on March 21 . The festival features regional
food and cultural events centered around music and
performances. In Rome, the Spanish Steps are decorated
with over 3,000 vases of azaleas for the festival!
March - April 2012
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Columbia News
March - April 2012
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March - April 2012
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Columbia News
March - April 2012
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Columbia News
March - April 2012
N.Y.P.D.
Columbia Association
Fishing Trip
When:
Friday June 15, 2012
“GONE FISHING”
9:00 AM
Where:
Captain Jim III
540 Guy Lombardo Ave
Freeport, N.Y.
ONLY: $50.00 Per Person
Raffles, Food, Beverages and Fishing Equipment
All Included
Contact: Christopher J. Pizzo 516-318-3545
ITALIANS CH 3 OF THE
Mom says that if we keep practicing,
Dad will take us on the on Fishing Trip.
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Columbia News
Our Sponsors
March - April 2012
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Columbia News
March - April 2012