Community Unity

So, in recent times we have experienced here in the Northeast an earthquake, a tornado, a super/hurricane/ perfect storm with all the “trimmings” that you can ever imagine, and now this: a blizzard with snow that fell at up to 4 inches an hour, lightning and thunder (that frightened me while I was out shoveling to a point that only my tailor knows just how scared I was), paralyzing towns and causing havoc to millions of people from New York City, up the northeast corridor, and right through to Maine.

Here on eastern Long Island, (in the country as we Brooklyn kids used to call it) folks were stranded just blocks from their homes, as the blinding snow enveloped them so rapidly that these unfortunate folks had no choice but to stay put and hope that they would be rescued. Emergency vehicles, trying to reach those in danger, were also becoming trapped in the snow, and eventually the National Guard was called in to rescue people with snowmobiles and tank like vehicles to reach those who were becoming buried in the heavy snow. Some abandoned their cars, and made the trek over to a nearby Wal-Mart in Middle Island, NY, that had remained open as a staging area and warming center for stranded motorists and emergency workers, long past its closing time. Bravo Wal-Mart!

Out in Brookhaven Town, heavy duty fork lifts were also brought in to lift and move cars over to the side, so pay-loaders and large plow trucks could make an attempt at clearing the roads. Even some plow trucks couldn’t help but getting trapped, and had to be extracted from the snow. “Families helping families” was Saturday’s theme, as those who were able to get out their front doors assisted those who were not so fortunate. For example, my wonderful neighbor/ friends on the cul de sac that we live on with 5 homes, all came together as we walked to all 5 of our homes and in concert cleaned all of our cars and cleared our driveways, so that once the plow did arrive, we were all able to reach the street…if we had to. Where I live in Ridge, Suffolk County, NY, up on the north shore, we had precisely 30.9 inches of heavy, wet “PIA” snow (no, I don’t mean Professional Insurance Agents with that PIA reference!). How do I know it was exactly 30.9”, you ask? Good question! The National Weather Service is located about 2 miles from here, in Brookhaven National Laboratory, and released that official measurement from their office…one of the highest totals here in Suffolk County.

At the end of the day, after all of these natural disasters, what really mattered was how so many communities, first responders, town workers and individuals came together, putting themselves at risk, and ventured out into the element (whatever the “element” happened to be THIS week!), and came to the aid and rescue of others. As we say here in our area, “That’s Community Unity, being a part of the pride!”

Around town, PIA (and this time I am referencing the Professional Insurance Agents association) of New York held the first local insurance convention of the year at the Brooklyn (the garden spot of the world) Marriott Hotel, and amid a sold out trade show and an attendee list that consisted of some 500 industry professionals from many areas, presented another “homerun” show (all this snow is causing me to yearn for spring training!). My friend, and Brooklyn high school rival F. Michael Conte of Honig Conte Perrino Insurance Agency, (I went to Lafayette, and Mike went to New Utrecht) did a spectacular job in not only chairing the conference committee, but I highly recommend that he consider a weekend gig in the Catskills at Kutsher’s or Villa Roma, as he kept us extremely amused during his stand-up Master of Ceremonies performance during the luncheon. Short of him declaring, “I’ll be here all week”, Mike navigated through the program beautifully and humorously, which included a star studded cast of award winning folks. The presenters, including industry veterans such as Shelley Kozel of Lezok Ltd. and Rich Savino of Warwick Resource Group, opened the envelopes for award winners like Jim Romanelli Senior Vice President of CNA who accepted the award for Executive of The Year; Harvey A. Leff former President of Brooks of New York who received a Presidential Citation; Cathy Canady of Completely Covered Agency who received the Kozel Scholarship; and everyone’s dear friend, Steve Sternberg, Senior Vice President of Business Development BankDirect Capital Finance, who received the Industry Professional of The Year Award and in true Steve fashion beautifully articulated from his heart one of the greatest award winning acceptance speeches I have ever heard in my 30 + years in the insurance industry…even beating my 1 second “Thank You” speech from last year, which many of you still won’t let me forget! Congratulations to all, as this thing of ours would not be the same without you! Well, that’s what’s happening around town, so until next time, “Ciao for now!”