The club inducted its newest member, Chris Sekula.  Welcome, Chris!!  Chris is a painting contractor and was sponsored by his friend, Louis DiPrima.   Guy Kittelsen handled the induction ceremony and did a great job as always.  We will schedule Chris to speak at an upcoming meeting so we can all hear more about him and his family.  Great to have new, young members join our club!  

 

BJ Cunningham thanked all who contributed to the very successful Winter Party at the Legacy at Cranberry Landing last week.  Next week's meeting will be the St. Patrick's Day Party at St. Ann's Home (1500 Portland).  The Drumcliffe Irish Dancers will perform and ice cream will be served.  Please be there by 6:45 to help set up.

 

Terri Bastuk passed around tickets and raffle info for the upcoming Angels of Mercy Pasta Dinner, Sunday, April 7th at Eastridge from 1-5.  See Terri  or Jennie Gugino if you missed it.  

 

 

 

Tim Donaher, Monroe County Public Defender  was our speaker tonight.  The Public Defender is appointed by the Monroe County Legislature for a two-year term.  The Public Defender’s Office represents indigent individuals in Criminal Court and Family Court proceedings.  Tim spoke about two key issues.  The first was the problem with bail.  The purpose of bail is to ensure someone returns to court, not to exact punishment before conviction.  Yet data from his office shows that tens of thousands of New Yorkers were jailed without having their day in court simply because they could not pay their bail.  In Monroe County, over 17,000 people were held for less than $1000 bail.  Jail time causes those held to lose their jobs and is a big expense for taxpayers.  There is a Bail Reform bill in the legislature to remedy this situation but needs support from taxpayers.

 

The second issue had to do with the current NY State discovery statute that allows prosecutors to hold most information from Public Defenders until moments before trial.  This inhibits the Public Defenders ability to properly defend their clients.  NY State is 2nd in the nation in wrongful convictions and some of this is blamed on the discovery statute.  Opponents to changing the discovery time believe it would lead to witness tampering or harm to witnesses but that has not been seen in other states where the open discovery time is longer.  NY State is one of the most conservative states when it comes to the legal system.  

 

The Public Defenders Office is the primary legal entity to protect taxpayers on their Bill if Rights so needs to be funded properly.  Plea bargaining accounts for the large majority of cases which saves money for all.  Without plea bargaining, the costs for trials would skyrocket.  Great presentation with plenty of questions afterward.  

 

 

Multiple Contributions for:  (1) the passing of Dom Fiore (2) Dom Fantauzzo and Jennie Gugino recovery from surgeries (3) new member Chris Sekula, (4) BJ Cunningham for last week's party, (5) Bill Bastuk & Terri for their work on Prosecutorial misconduct law, (6) Peter Mendick's newly broken thumb due to a car door accident, and (7) upcoming garage sale

 

Jason Miller - Foundation and 6 year club anniversary; Kenn Van Dieren - trip to California and back in 6 days; Lynn Wozniak - need more song selections and for attending Penfield Rotary Brew dinner; Peter Mendick - swears he smashed his thumb on the way into Bayside and not after; John Mendick - new grandson Santino coming soon; Bob Scheidt - employee who had to retire early due to Parkinsons; Lou DiPrima - getting a call during odd hour from son Louis but it was not for new baby but for a heating problem!; Chris Sekula - being welcomed to the club and buying a new home in Pittsford; Guy Kittelsen - Jim Kozlowski doing the new club directory; Terri Bastuk - Peter doing bodily harm just to get out of Sgt of Arms duty; Dick Butler - new dog training him and Linda...; Norb Rappl - Aquinas starting the Black Lion Award dedicated to Don Holleder; Jim Kozlowski - all who contributed to garage sale and celebrating 21 years with the club last Monday.