Dan's Papers - June 13, 2008

As gas prices continue to rise, hitting a national average of $4 a gallon for the first time ever, 3rd Assembly District candidate Scott Salimando (R-Patchogue) has introduced a plan to provide immediate relief at the gas pump.

His plan has several components, including calling for the state Attorney General to investigate price gouging by oil companies. "It's apparent that consumers are being taken advantage of by the cartels, and it's time that our state's top law enforcement officer starts looking into this highway robbery," Salimando said. "The Attorney General did this with 'Big Tobacco,' and it's time to look into the dealings of 'Big Oil.'"

Salimando also champions a summer holiday from state sales taxes on gasoline, an idea heralded by East End legislators in the past couple of months, as well as a $1,000 tax credit for the purchase of a hybrid or flex fuel car, and a tax credit for 50% of the cost for gas stations that install an alternative fueling pump.

"Some may say that these ideas are flights of fancy, or ask how we can afford to do this," Salimando said. "My response is how can we not afford to do this when the incomes of so many middle class families, seniors and small business owners are being squeezed every day at the gas pump?"

Sentencing for Terri Gaines, the disgraced former secretary and treasurer for the Montauk Fire District who last year pleaded guilty to stealing $539,000 from the district between 1999 and 2005, has been postponed, yet again.

As part of her plea bargain, if Gaines can sell her home in Montauk for $539,000 and use the proceeds to reimburse the fire department, she would only serve a sentence of one to three years in a state prison. If she's unable to pay back the fire district, she'll serve three to nine years.

But because of the current sluggish real estate market, where houses are taking longer to sell and are trading for 10% less than the asking price, Gaines is having a hard time unloading the home for the listed price. And so far the judge has granted her three extensions. She now has until July 11, her next court date, to sell the house and/or come up with the money she owes the fire department.

Gaines was arrested in March 2007, shocking the Montauk community. Writing fire district checks payable to herself, and even directly to credit card companies, Gaines used the taxpayers' money to pay off gambling debts from trips to casinos in Connecticut, Las Vegas and New Orleans, as well as other vacations. She also used the money for other personal items and purposes, including Broadway tickets, beauty salons, expensive meals and clothing, and paying for her son's private school tuition.