Saturday, November 7, 2009

Updated.. Photos and Info. from Red Flags of Fraud Presentation... E. Auerbach... M. Hein... Attorney Generals Office... More...

[Flags and Flowers; Nov 2009; Stock Photo by NS]

Following are some photos and information from "Red Flags of Fraud" ["Fraud Awareness and Improving Internal Control For Not-for-Profit Organizations"] Presentation:

This meeting - which was (to the best of my knowledge) a collaborative effort on the part of UC Comptroller, Elliott Auerbach (This was reputedly his idea.); Deputy Comptroller, Robert Wenzel; the New York State Attorney Generals office; Assistant Attorney General in Charge, Vincent Bradley (Poughkeepsie Regional Office) and the Chamber of Commerce (Ward Todd, Chamber President, did the introduction) - was held at the Holiday Inn in Kingston on November 5th 2009. Other noted sponsors and helpers were Morgan Stanley Smith Barney - Robert Hirsh - and the persons depicted in the photos below.

["Who Commits Fraud"; From the Nov 2009 "Red Flags of Fraud" Presentation; Photo (by NS) of the Presentation Given by Russell Gray, Senior Auditor, UC Office of the Comptroller]

[UC Comptroller, Elliott Auerbach at "Red Flags of Fraud" Presentation; Nov 2009; Photo by NS]

[Russell Gray, Senior Auditor, UC Office of the Comptroller at the "Red Flags of Fraud" Presentation; Nov 2009; Photo by NS]

[UC Executive Michael Hein at the "Red Flags of Fraud" Presentation; Nov. 2009; Photo by NS]

[Vincent G. Bradley, Assistant Attorney General In Charge (Poughkeepsie Office); Bill Schechter (sp?); and UC Comptroller, Elliott Auerbach at the "Red Flags of Fraud" Presentation; Nov. 2009; Photo by NS]

[Nicholas Garin, Esq., NY State Assistant Attorney General at the "Red Flags of Fraud" Presentation; Nov 2009; Photo by NS]

[Shelley Zimbler, KAPA Commissioner and UC Executive Michael Hein at the "Red Flags of Fraud" Presentation; Nov 2009; Photo by NS]

According to my notes and handouts (available from the UC Comptrollers office and/or the Attorney Generals office) from this event, there are over 750 Not-for-Profits in Ulster County, NY.

If I understood this right, all charity fundraising boards (whether just starting out or undergoing administrative changes) must petition the court - be given a stamp of approval by the State Attorney Generals Office - be approved (requiring an official signature) by the court - "abide by the law" - and submit readily accessible annual reports.

If any board and/or charity organization raises funds in NY State without going through this process of approval and oversight - a fraud investigation is in order.

If a board and/or charity organization is convicted of fraud - the board (and/or charity) will be "put out of business" and ordered to "pay restitution" to those that donated funds.

The U.C. Comptrollers position involves making sure every dollar in the County of Ulster is being spent "wisely".

One should always ask (before donating funds or engaging in "business" enterprises) with a charity, board and/or not-for-profit (however the organization presents itself) for their Federal ID number --- which the organization should have readily accessible.

[Contact Elliot Auerbach Info; Photo (by NS) of a Projected Display at the "Red Flags of Fraud" Presentation; Nov 2009]

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Stay tuned for photos and notes from the Public Hearing on the City of Kingston Mayors proposed 2010 Budget...

[Kingston City Hall; Photo by NS]

Note: Some information on the above is already available on the Kingston Progressive blogspot and the Kingston News Blog. Please see the links in the sidebar >>>

Respectfully posted by,

NS

Friday, November 6, 2009

Local Photos... Meeting Notes Pending... Louis Armstrong... Cher... You Tube Videos

As promised - Some Fall foilage photos; some photos of some houses around town (City of Kingston) impressively decorated for Fall and/or Halloween, some Halloween FUN photos and more...

Notes and Photos from a meeting I attended yesterday morning [hosted by Elliot Auerbach, the Attorney Generals Office and the Chamber of Commerce) --- and of last nights public meeting (City Hall) on the proposed 2010 Mayoral budget (City of Kingston) are pending...

[Beautiful isn't it????? Photo by NS]

[Another beauty right next door! Photo by NS]

[A lot of work went into this! Wow. Thank You. Photo by NS]

[Backstage Studio Productions Background Photo (This place has (in my opinion) been good to and good for K-NY!; Photo by NS]

[Another beautiful photo... City of Kingston; Photo by NS]

[BS dressed up as Boy George / singing Karaoke...; Hey! We're getting pretty good at this! Want to hire a couple singers / performers - some Karaoke fun for your upcoming event?????; Photo by NS]

["Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World"; as submitted to You Tube by Geneticc on October 22, 2006; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5IIXeR5OUI]

[NS dressed as Cher / singing Karaoke...; We do lots of other folks as well --- and BS does an AWESOME ("What a Wonderful World") Louis Armstrong!; Photo by BS]

["Cher-Different Kind Of Love Song"; as submitted to You Tube by HeartbreakersAlibi on July 09, 2007;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCbIuZfPh_c]

[Nice Homey Autumn Photo; KC-NY; Photo by NS]

[A lot of effort went into this, as well (Wow); Thank You!; Photo by NS]

[A personal favorite! Thank you!; Photo by NS]

[Baby Tree Nesting for Winter; Photo by NS]

Thursday, November 5, 2009

US Rep Maurice Hinchey... Banks... Accountability... Transparency... Ratigan... Questions Regarding Potential Fraud... You Tube Videos

[UC / K-NY Photo October 2009 (Photo by NS)]

["Congressman Hinchey Appears on MSNBC to Discuss Regulating the Financial Sector"; as Submitted to You Tube by RepMauriceHinchey on October 28, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMFXuuzt46E]

["Ratigan: Where's the fraud investigation???"; as submitted to You Tube by fal2grace on October 29, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1maBM5hOV3Y]

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Some Unofficial Early Reports on the Local Elections

[Photo by NS]

Kingston City Ward (Alderman Position) Winners [Unofficial --- These Numbers / Winners are Potentially Subject to Change...] as of This Evening [10:16PM, Nov. 3, 2009]:



Ward 1: Andi Turco-Levin [Photo (Sorry, I tried to get the blur out!) from Last KURA Meeting]: 375 Votes Versus 333 Votes for Katie Scott-Childress [http://electionulstercountyny.go/cityhtml]



Ward II: Thomas Hoffay [Photo (modified) from last KURA Meeting]: 262 Votes Versus 192 Votes for Jonathan Hoyt [http://electionulstercountyny.go/cityhtml]

Ward III: Charles O. Landi [No Photo Available]: 449 Votes / Uncontested] [http://electionulstercountyny.go/cityhtml]

Ward IV: Shirley Whitlock [No Photo Currently Available]: 164 Votes Versus 124 Votes for Jeanne Edwards [http://electionulstercountyny.go/cityhtml]



Ward 5: Jen Fuentes [Photo (Slightly Modified) from Last KURA Meeting]: 269 Votes Versus 225 Votes for Richard T. Cahill, Sr. [http://electionulstercountyny.go/cityhtml]

Ward 6: Ron Polacco: 438 Votes Versus 396 Votes for Elisa M. Ball [http://electionulstercountyny.go/cityhtml]

Ward 7: William P. Reynolds: 418 Votes Versus 375 Votes for Michael Gill [http://electionulstercountyny.go/cityhtml]

Ward 8: Robert L. Senor: 270 Votes Versus 182 Votes for Todd Langon [http://electionulstercountyny.go/cityhtml]

Ward 9: Clement Hayes: 416 Votes Versus 210 Votes for Deborah Brown [http://electionulstercountyny.go/cityhtml]

Legislative District 6 Winners (numbers / winners unofficial - potentially subject to change) as of 10:16PM This Evening (Nov. 3, 2009):

Jeanette M. Provenzano [No Photo Available]: 1705 Votes [City of Kingston] Versus 1072 Votes for Michael Madsen (Looking Like the 2nd Winner!); 789 Votes for Frank Dart; 613 Votes for Marvin Schildhorn; 555 Votes for Ellen Difalco; and 233 Votes for Lauren P Carpinelli [http://election.ulstercountyny.gov/elect16.html]



Michael Madsen [Photo from 2009 Commission Meeting]: 1072 Votes [Looks Like the Winner of the 2nd Leg. District 6 Seat!] - City of Kingston - Versus 789 Votes for Frank Dart; 613 Votes for Marvin Schildhorn; 555 Votes for Ellen DiFalco; and 233 Votes for Lauren P Carpinelli [http://election.ulstercountyny.gov/elect16.html]

Other Races [as of 10:16PM Nov 3, 2009 / Potentially Subject to Change]:

County Clerk: Nina Postupack: 24065 Votes Versus 14446 Votes for Gilda Riccardi[http://electionulstercountynygov/electionleg.html]

County Court Judge: Donald A. Williams 23903 Votes Versus 16288 Votes for Deborah S. Schneer[http://electionulstercountynygov/electionleg.html]

NYS Supreme Court Justice Race:



NY State Supreme Court Justice: James Gilpatrick [Photo (slightly modified) from UC Domestic Violence Awareness Event] - 24670 Votes Versus 12207 Votes for Jill Dunn [as of 10:16PM / potentially subject to change] http://www.ulstercountyny.gov/electnys.html]

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In the Town of Ulster it appears as if James Quigley III [2307 Votes] has [according to preliminary numbers (10:39PM) / subject to possible change] defeated Nicky B. Woerner [1238 Votes] for the position of Town Supervisor [http://election.ulstercountyny.gov/electown.html]

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Note 1: All Numbers [I've left out the proposition results, as I'm not clear on these...) are potentially subject to change.

Note 2. Congratulations to the winners!

Note 3: Thank You to Everyone that Put Their Name, Time and Effort into the "Hat."

Note 4: If your photo isn't posted and you would like one to be - please email me one at wingedbirdinflight@live.com

And Remember (I'm in love with this quote / initial source unknown):

"If you stumble make it part of the dance..."

["Dance Troop" Photo (by NS) from Kingston Waterfront Independence Day Celebration 2009]

Peace, Love, Hope, Equality, Honesty, Clarity, Accountability and Humane Justice,

NS

Coming Soon: Photos of some beautiful local fall foilage, local houses decorated for Halloween (and/or Fall) - and some photos from local Halloween Events...

Preview:

[Baby Tree Nesting for Winter; Photo by NS]

[BS as "Boy George" at Backstage Studio Productions; Photo by NS]

[Scarecrows in Love...; K-NY Photo 2009; Photo by NS]

[Beautiful Tree and Foilage, K-NY, Fall 2009; Photo by NS]

["Yousa!"; K-NY Home Decorated for Halloween 2009; Photo by NS]

[Big Band Music / Costume Contest / Backstage Studio Productions; Oct 30, 2009; Photo by NS]

[Backstage Studio Productions Backdrop Photo Oct 30 2009 Halloween Party (Lots of Awesome Artwork on these Walls!); Photo by NS]

[The "Eyes" Have It!; K-NY Photo House Decorated for Halloween 2009; Photo by NS]

[Who was it that said, "Scarey, scarey, boys and girls..."; K-NY House Decorated for Halloween; Photo by NS]

[NS (Yours Truly) as Cher at Fosters Halloween / Karaoke Party; Photo by BS]

[Ok, Ok... I get a little carried away with this stuff... :)

Monday, November 2, 2009

Don't Forget To Vote...

[Photo from "Midtown 'Make a Difference' Day" 2009]

Don't forget to VOTE!

Your voice...

Your choice...

Your opinions...

Matter!

[Photo II from "Midtown 'Make a Difference' Day"]

Lets show them "Democracy in action!"

Lets "wow" them with a turnout like never before!

And let's remember this quote:

"When you stumble make it part of the dance..."

[Source Unknown (I saw it in a catalog!)]

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[BJS at "Midtown 'Make a Difference' Day" 2009]

After all, if I can get this guy (my husband :) to walk around with tomato plants... anything is possible!

Peace, Love, Truth, Equality and Humane Justice,

NS