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. 4
September — October 2012
SINCE 1932
ONLINE ISSUE
Our President’s Message...
Hello all of Columbia,
Welcome Back! I hope that you all have
had an enjoyable and safe summer. The
Columbia Association held its annual
Giglio lift on July 15, 2012 at Our Lady of
Mount Carmel Church in Brooklyn. I
would like to thank Columbia members
Chief of Department Joseph J. Esposito,
Chief of the Intelligence Division Thomas
Galati,
Inspector
Pete
DeBlasio,
Inspector John Corbisaro, Joseph “Mr.
LoJack”
Rainone,
Pat
Grande,
Monsignor Robert J. Romano, Doctor
Joseph Ciuffo and my brother John
Cesarano and Michael Schmitt who all
participated in the lift.
From August 5, 2012 until August 10, 2012 the Columbia
Association held its annual Lake George Trip. The weather at Lake
George was beautiful! All that attended this event had a wonderful time
and the cherished moments with all the families will last a lifetime.
Personally, I had a wonderful time with my beautiful daughters
Caterina and Alivia and my girlfriend Mariluz. My brother John
attended Lake George again this year and had a spectacular time with his
girlfriend Sue and her kids, Michael and Grace. Board Officer Tony
Quagliariello attended the event with his family and had an excellent
time. Board Officer Brett Raso attended the event for the first time with
his family and had a wonderful time. Returning this year was Columbia
member Mike Villa and his family who had a blast. Congratulations are
in order for Mike Villa on his recent retirement from the NYPD. The
Columbia Association wishes Mike Villa and his family the very best
that life has to offer. I would like to thank Columbia members Mark
Marino and John Giangrasso along with their families for their
continued support and for helping to make this year’s event successful.
Congratulations are also in order for former Board Officer and Columbia
Association member Marc Marino on his recent retirement form the
NYPD. Marc did not stay retired long after he was hired by the PBA.
Bona Fortuna. The Columbia Association wishes Marc and his family
continued success in his new endeavor.
On September 23, 2012 the Columbia Association hosted the
New York Yankees vs. the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.
Tickets were $40.00 per person. There were goodie bags for the kids in
attendance and they all received a simulated Yankee World Series
replica ring. If you were a Yankee fan then this was the baseball game to
be present at. Congratulations to the Columbia Association’s Staten
Island Trustee Mike Alfieri who was promoted to the rank of Sergeant
on September 28, 2012.
On September 30, 2012 we held our 5th Annual Motorcycle
Tour in remembrance of Detective Anthony J. Venditti. This year
marked the 26th anniversary of Detective Anthony J. Venditti’s passing.
The Columbia Association will never forget our fallen heroes. Detective
Anthony J. Venditti’s mother, Anna Venditti, his wife Patricia and
their four daughters participated in this event and it was our honor to
have them with us. We rode past Anthony J. Venditti Square located on
Myrtle Avenue and Saint Nicholas Avenue in Ridgewood, Queens. The
square was revitalized last year. The most recent project created more
open design elements and planting areas around the plaza. The Detective
Anthony J. Venditti Clock Tower is still working and a carillon plays
Westminster chimes on the quarter hour. On the memorial plaque is the
inscription “Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself
mean; who is neither tarnished nor afraid”.
The post-party barbeque was held at The Elks Lodge located at
3250 Richmond Avenue in Staten Island. Detective Anthony J. Venditti
was one of the founders of the Blue Knights Bronx chapter. I would like
to personally thank the Blue Knights for their participation in this event.
Very special thanks to Columbia Board Officers John Peruffo and
Rocco Ruscitto for making this event memorable.
On October 1, 2012 Chief of Queens Detectives, Deputy Chief
Louis Croche Jr. had his walk out from Detective Borough Queens
located at the 112 Precinct. Deputy Chief Louis Croche Jr. dedicated 39
years to the New York City Police Department. The Columbia
Association wishes Deputy Chief Louis Croche Jr. and his family a
healthy and happy retirement. Congratulations are also in order for
Deputy Chief Louis Croche Jr. for being chosen Italian-American Law
Enforcement Executive of the year for the Howard Beach Columbus
Day Foundation. The Columbia Association attended the 7th Annual
Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation’s Gala on October 23, 2012.
It was held at Russo’s on the Bay. I would personally like to thank the
President of the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation, Mario
Faulisi, and his entire Board of Officers for bestowing this honor upon
Deputy Chief Louis Croche Jr. and for their continued support of the
Columbia Association. October 6th, 2012 the Columbia Association
attended the Columbus Citizens Foundations 68th Annual Gala at the
Waldorf Astoria. Congratulations are in order for Chief of Department
Joseph J. Esposito who received their Public Service Lifetime
Achievement Award for all that he contributed in his service to the
public.
On October 7, 2012 the Columbia Association participated in
the annual Columbus Day Wreath Laying Ceremony in Columbus
Circle. I want to thank all of the Columbia Association civil service
groups that participated in this event and the Italian Consulate General,
Natalia Quintavalle, for her attendance. A special thanks to Joseph A.
Guagliardo, the President of the National Council of Columbia
Associations in Civil Service, for coordinating the entire event.
On October 8, 2012 the Columbia Association hosted the
Columbus Day Parade on 5th Avenue. The Columbia Association
celebrated mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral with the Most Reverend
Timothy M. Dolan, the Archbishop of New York. The Columbia
Association then formed up on 47th Street and 5th Avenue. This year’s
Columbus Day Parade was a huge success! The weather was beautiful. I
want to take this opportunity to thank this year’s Columbia Association’s
Columbus Day Parade Grand Marshal Actor Danny Aiello, for
accepting the Grand Marshall honor and marching in the parade with us.
We want to thank him for his support of the men and women in the New
York City Police Department Columbia Association. I also would like
to express my gratitude to the following people who marched with the
Columbia Association along 5th Avenue; The Mayor of New York City,
Michael Bloomberg, Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge, Honorable
George Grasso, the New York City Police Commissioner, Honorable
Raymond W. Kelly, the Chief of Department, Joseph J. Esposito, the
Chief of Organized Crime Control Bureau, Anthony J. Izzo, the Chief
of Internal Affairs, Charles V. Campisi, Retired Chief of Manhattan
South, Executive Officer, John A. Sassano, and the Chief of the Queens
Detectives, Louis M. Croce, Jr. I would like to thank the Italian Police
Officers that marched in the Columbus Day Parade from different parts
of New York, such as Suffolk County, Nassau County and different parts
of this country, such as New Jersey, Boston and Connecticut. I would
like to thank the Police Officers that marched from Italy, especially the
Italian Caribinari and the Italian Polizia Di Stato. I would like to thank
the Italian Soccer Team that marched along with us. I would be remiss if
I did not thank the whole Columbus Citizens Foundation that puts this
whole Columbus Day Parade together each year.
PAGE 2
Columbia News
Our President’s Message...
Most of all I would like to thank all the members of the
Columbia Association who marched along 5th Avenue and showed
support to their organization. The luncheon held again this year at
Wallace Hall. This new location was enjoyed by all that attended. The
air conditioning was an excellent touch! I would like to thank Cono
Colombo, the owner of LaLocanda Restaurant in Brooklyn, who
catered the event. The food was excellent. The event would not have
been a success if not for the generous donation made by Jason
Rappaport of ICC Mortgage Services. The Columbia Association
would like to express its biggest gratitude to our 2nd Vice President
Manny Rossi and his family and to our Sgt. Of Arms, Sal Ferrante for
all that was done to make this event a successful one.
October 12, 2012 was Fraternal Day at the Police Academy. I
would like to express my gratitude to Board Officers Kendra
Damante, Mike Mongelli and Louis Corrente and Columbia
Association’s Police Academy Delegate Anthony Mannuzza for
helping to sign up approximately 100 new Columbia Members from the
recruitment class.
On October 25, 2012 the Columbia Association held the first
ever Bronx Membership Drive Meeting at Saint Benedicts Church
located at 2969 Otis Avenue in the Bronx. I want to especially thank
the Bronx Board Officers Rocco Ruscitto and Richard Citerella and
all of the Columbia Association Board Officers for all the work that
they did in preparation of this Bronx Membership Drive Meeting. It
was a success that was enjoyed by all that attended.
For all the cigar aficionados mark your calendar for the
Columbia Association’s Cigars Under the Stars Event on November 1,
2012 from 7:00PM until 11:00PM at the gorgeous Battery Gardens
located opposite 17 State Street.
Save the date for the Columbia Association’s Children’s
Christmas Party being held on December 9, 2012 at the Italian Charities
Building located at 83-20 Queens Boulevard. Monsignor David L.
Cassato will host the mass at 10:00AM and the Children’s Christmas
Party festivities will begin at 11:00AM. Santa Claus will be there to
hand out presents to all the children in attendance.
These are some of the upcoming events that are on the radar.
Check the Columbia website frequently to keep abreast of all pertinent
information.
September– October 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
Editor ........................................Louis Balsamo..............................(718) 845-2201
Public Relations Director ........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) 477-9275
Manhattan……………………Andrew Carraro.…………………(212) 927-3200
Brooklyn……………………..Brett Raso……...……………..….(516) 476-2752
Brooklyn…………………......Michael Spezio…………………..(917) 531-7787
Brooklyn……………………..Michael Mongelli………………..(516) 732-5961
The end of the year is right around the corner! It is the time
of year for happy events. Take the time out to enjoy family and friends
during this holiday season. The Columbia Association would like to
wish all of their members a Happy Thanksgiving. The next General
Meeting will be held on Tuesday November 27, 2012 at the Italian
Charities of America building located at 83-20 Queens Boulevard.
There will be 10 turkeys raffled off at this meeting. I know that it will
be after Thanksgiving but you can have a beautiful turkey dinner for
Christmas. Joseph Maccone will also conduct his annual Columbia
Association retirement seminar at this meeting.
Queens…………………….…Stephen Salazer………………….(718) 533-2011
Let us push for memberships! 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. We are the first
fraternal group that has automatic payroll deductions for its members.
Please take advantage of this historic option! Instructions on how to get
registered for the automatic payroll deduction are on the Columbia
Association’s website.
Special Assistant to the President: Phil Panzarella …..……….…(631) 965-7290
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
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
Until next time, stay true to the Columbia Association.
Paul DiGiacmo……………………....………………………..….(212) 587-1000
Giovanni Porcelli………………………………………………....(718) 702-2200
Stephen P. Chiarini.........................................................................(516) 887-5737
John Bucalo....................................................................................(631) 669- 9023
Vincent Colangelo..........................................................................(516) 795-5095
Pasquale Cama................................................................................(718) 463-0797
Pantalea Palladino...........................................................................(914) 968-7892
Hon. Mario Biaggi...........................................................................(718) 796-9708
PAGE 3
Columbia News
Editor’s Spot
To my fellow brothers and
sisters,
I hope your summer was
truly enjoyable as mine
was to me, Let us take time
to mentally prepare ourselves for the arrival of the
holidays. Let us remind
ourselves to stay focused
on the core values that each holiday represents. With Thanksgiving, let us show appreciation for loved ones and all that they do.
During Christmas, let us share the spirit of
giving. Entering the New Year, let us wipe
the slates clean and begin 2013 with a fresh
start.
Too many of us focus so much of our precious time on the little, petty things surrounding the holidays causing us to lose
sight of what's truly important. The holidays
should be times of relaxation, times shared
with those we love, times to smile and be at
peace. I encourage all of you to keep these
things in the back of your mind when you're
basting the turkey, or waiting on line on
Black Friday, or counting down from ten on
the last night of 2012.
Happy Holiday & until next time,
Yours Truly
Mr. Italy
September– October 2012
2012 BPA Convention
International Row
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL CHILDREN’S
HOLIDAY PARTY
Phil Repaci Sr. in
Florida and caught a 10 lb. grouper.
LOCATION:
THE ITALIAN CHARITIES BUILDING
83-20 QUEENS BLVD
DATE:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2012
CHRISTMAS MASS STARTS AT 10 AM
PARTY STARTS 11 AM
DJ MUSIC, SPECIAL GUESTS, AND AN APPEARANCE BY SANTA HIMSELF
WITH TOYS FOR THE KIDS
FOOD, GIFTS AND GAMES
SPECIAL APPEARENCES BY
CANINE, MOUNTED, ESU, AVIATION AND HIGHWAY
PAGE 4
Columbia News
Financial Secretaries Corner
Manhattan
Anthony Burgio
Hello Everyone! An
update on an upcoming Columbia Association event in Manhattan - our annual Delegates Party
on December 27 at an exclusive
Italian Restaurant in Lower
Manhattan location to be announced. If your precinct is in
need of a delegate, PLEASE
contact me, or one of the Manhattan Trustees via email, whose
email addresses are available on our website. It is imperative to the
organization that ALL commands have an active delegate. We
need our membership to rise and be able to run such events as
mentioned. Until next time, be safe!!!!
Brooklyn
Vincent Aprea
Bongiorno!! Everyone a quick
hello to my Brooklyn brothers and sisters just a reminder please come out and
support are events and make sure you
paid your dues to your delegates. thanks
and I’ll see you at the next general meeting.
Queens
Matthew Cioffi
Greetings from Queens
Attention all delegates, please return
any and all outstanding dues. Also I
hope that your Columbus day parade
ways truly amazing as mine was.
Please support Columbia by attending our events.
September– October 2012
Financial Secretaries Corner
Bronx
Steven Berger
To my fellow Bronx Columbia members, October 8th, 2012 marked
another successful year at the Columbus
Day Parade, with a great luncheon for
our members, friends and family. I ask
any member of the Columbia Association to recruit any members of the
NYPD with Italian heritage. Till next
time…..
Staten Island
John Peruffo
Again I would like to mention this I did so last month but I
would like to have more of the Staten
Island membership attend the general
meetings. These meeting are fun and
at times full of information. FYI we
do car pools from the V.Z. bridge just
call me to set it up. All the best.
Life Member
Phil Repaci Sr.
Well fellow life members
it sure was a hot summer, but some
of us cooled off at the beach or a
pool or even took in a movie. I went
fishing in Florida and caught a 10 lb.
grouper. It was a great day and the
heat didn’t matter at this point. Also
I would like to say that Life member
Frank Seddio former assembly member, NYS Surrogate Judge has become the new Brooklyn Democratic
boss. Congratulations Frank.
PAGE 5
Columbia News
September– October 2012
2012 Scholarship Dinner and Clam Bake
2012 Columbus Day Parade
PAGE 6
Columbia News
September– October 2012
I loved this so much I had to bring it back .Yum Yum…...
TRADITIONAL OSSO BUCCO:
2 pounds veal shanks, cut into short lengths
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup Butter
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 large onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
2/3 cup dry white wine
2/3 cup beef stock
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
Directions:
Dust the veal shanks lightly with flour. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add the
veal, and cook until browned on the outside. Remove to a bowl, and keep warm. Add two cloves of crushed garlic
and onion to the skillet; cook and stir until onion is tender. Return the veal to the pan and mix in the carrot and
wine. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Pour in the tomatoes and beef stock, and season with salt and pepper. Cover, and simmer over low heat for 1 1/2
hours, basting the veal every 15 minutes or so. The meat should be tender, but not falling off the bone.
In a small bowl, mix together the parsley, 1 clove of garlic and lemon zest. Mix into the veal just before serving.
The story of Befana
The twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day and end on January 6,
which is called the Day of Three Kings or Feast of Epiphany. Befana, an old woman
is said to bring gifts to children, hoping that one of them is the child king that she refused to acknowledge years ago. As the legend goes, Befana lived near Bethlehem.
One night while preparing her supper of beans and bread, she heard a knock at the
door. Before her stood the three kings in search of the Christ child. They asked Befana if she knew where He could be found. "I know of no king," she told them and
quickly shut the door. As time passed, Befana kept thinking about the strange visitors
and their quest to find the Christ child. So, with a sack filled with bread, she set out on
her own in hopes of finding the child king. Every time she saw a baby boy, she broke
off a crust of bread and gave it to the child, hoping that he might be the Child. According to the legend, Befana is still wandering the towns and villages looking for the
Christ child. Every year on the Feast of the Three Kings, the children of Italy await
the arrival of Befana, who still leaves each child a small gift. Befana Cake is traditionally made for the Feast of the Three Kings. Before the cake is baked, a large dried
bean is added to the dough. The cake is presented on a crown and whoever receives
the slice with the bean is king (or queen).
PAGE 7
Columbia News
September– October 2012
REMINDER!!!!!
YOU NOW CAN DEDUCT Y
YOUR
OUR DUES RIGHT FROM THE NYCAPS PAGE
HERE ARE SOME
SIMPLE DIRECTIONS TO FOLLOW
•
YOU MUST LOG INTO NYCAPS WITH YOUR USER I.D. AND PASSWORD.
•
ONCE THERE SELECT DEDUCTION INFORMATION.
•
YOU WILL NOW BE ON THE PAGE WITH SEVERAL OPTIONS. PICK NYPD FRATERNAL ORG. DUES.
•
THE PAGE WILL MOVE TO “ENROLLMENT ” NOTE: IF YOU WISH MORE INFO ABOUT THE COLUMBIA
ASSOCIATION CHOOSE “FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION INFO” OR SIMPLY CHOOSE THE “ENROLL” BOX (SEE BELOW)
•
THE NEXT PAGE AFTER THIS WILL BE “CONFIRM APPLICATION”, PRESS CONFIRM.
Congratulations now you’re a member... Just remember, signing up is for that year only. So if you sign up in November 2012, you
still must pay in January 2013. After that you don't need to worry any further it’s taken care of each year. The City will be deducting the dues
automatically till you retire. You must seek out your delegate at your precinct he/she will have a list of paid members and your new card.
KEEP YOUR ESS NUMBER!!!!!!!!
ENROLL
PAGE 8
Columbia News
RETIRED DESK:
September– October 2012
Death Announcements
By Nat Infurna
Retired Financial Secretary
The Columbia Association Mourns The Loss Of:
Hello to all... Unfortunately this
month I had some computer
issues and hope to have and
accurate count and delinquent
names posted for you next time,
my apologies to all.
Prayer for the Sanctification of Illness
A Pray for all Life Member that pasted on: Sanctify,
O Lord, the sickness of your servant, that the sense of
his weakness may add strength to his faith and
seriousness to his repentance; and grant that he may
live with you in everlasting life; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
۩Pray for the repose soul of life member John
Bonfiglio.
۩Pray for the repose soul of life member Romolo
Imundi.
۩Pray for the repose soul of life member Alfred
Uggeri.
۩Pray for the repose soul of life member Cyrus
Galletta.
۩Pray for the repose soul of Anthony Liosi,
stepfather of Lt. Richard Florentino, Quartmaster
Section.
۩Pray for the repose soul of life member Michele
Marzullo.
Birth Announcements
UNTIL THE NEXT ISSUE - CIAO!!
Congratulations to Det. Bob Barrett (P.C. Office) and wife Dawn on
their birth of baby Sienna and baby Ava born on June 8th 2011.
Congratulations to Sgt. Tony (BNTF) and Sgt. Anitra (10
Pct.) On the birth of baby Antonella 5/9/12.
PAGE 9
Columbia News
September– October 2012
We wi
BIOS LIFE SLIM
*LOWERS CHOLESTEROL
*LOWERS BLOOD SUGAR
*LOWERS TRIGLYCERIDES
*REDUCES YOUR APPETITE AND BURNS AWAY EXCESS FAT SO YOU LOSE WEIGHT
*ALL NATURAL NO STIMULANTS
TO ORDER OR QUESTIONS VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE LINK
WWW.SLIMNYPD.COM
OR CALL DR. JAMES A. DI GIUSEPPI (718) 356-6955
A PORTION OF ALL SALES WILL BE DONATED TO THE NYPD COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION
From all of the Columbia
Association Happy Holidays'
To all