Friday, January 13, 2017
THE PULSE OF THE PENINSULA
Vol. 92, No. 2
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GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE & PERSONAL FINANCE
KINGS PT. EYES LAND FOR PARK
TOWN BOARD EYES ETHICS CHANGES
PAGES 29-36
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Vigilant eyes billing residents for ambulances
H O L I D AY J O Y
Fire dept. contemplating change after request of village officials BY J OE N I K I C The Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company is considering billing for ambulance services after village oďŹƒcials requested it look at doing so. David Weiss, chairman of the ďŹ re company’s Board of Trustees, said in October members of the ďŹ re company voted to authorize the board to look at potentially billing residents’ insurance for ambulance services. “I understand the complexities of the budgets and ďŹ nancial strain on the villages,â€? Weiss said. “I don’t think it’s unreasonable with the way insurance companies work now. It’s not an unreasonable request for villages to seek some sort of help in their budget process.â€? He added that the ďŹ re company exists to “service the community,â€? and if village oďŹƒcials ask them to consider looking at something they feel is necessary, they
are willing to help. Currently, villages north of the Long Island Rail Road’s Great Neck station contract with the ďŹ re company for both ďŹ re and ambulance services. Weiss said state law prevents ďŹ re department’s from billing for ďŹ re services, but the ďŹ re company could bill for ambulance services if it is split from the ďŹ re services they oer. He added that it would take a “huge processâ€? to create another company, which could take up to a year. Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender said village oďŹƒcials have discussed with the ďŹ re company the possibility of billing for ambulance services, which would “allow residents with health insurance to have the cost of ambulance services billed to their insurance companies.â€? “This is revenue currently generated to insurance companies Continued on Page 47
PHOTO COURTESY OF ZIMMERMAN/EDELSON
Metropolitan Commercial Bank Vice President and Relationship Manager Ralph Ventura participates in an educational activity with a Quality Services for the Autism Community Preschool and Early Childhood Center student. See story on page 43.
DOT report seeks sex abuse solutions at marine academy emy must address a history of sexual harassment and assault An independent auditor’s at the institution by developing report commissioned by the a comprehensive plan, change U.S. Department of Transpor- a culture of fear and form politation found that the United cies to improve sexual assault States Merchant Marine Acad- reporting.
BY J OE N I K I C
The Logistics Management Institute report, which was released last Friday, states that a culture of “fear of reprisal and retaliation is a huge driver that causes midshipmen not to reContinued on Page 48
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