Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! My Christmas Video

Like many, I use this space to put my two-cents in about events happening around me. Usually, it is something critical, but Dec. 25 is a day where we try to put all our angst aside and focus on fun, merriment and joy. So in keeping with - or trying to keep with - the tradition of the day here is my little Christmas gift to those of you who have taken the time to read my rants.

Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy this video. Please click here to view.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0C4f7XpyX4&feature=youtube_gdata


Mark Ruquet

Thanksgiving Reflections: An Ode to Gluttony

Old news flashes across an electronic sign outside a
local middle school. (Photo: Mark Ruquet)

By Mark E. Ruquet

After celebrating our annual day of gluttony I thought taking a walk around the block would be an effective way of helping my digestion. Passing the nearby middle school, an electronic billboard sitting in front of the building announcing the school’s fall schedule caught my eye. It was not updated and I was amused to see the announcement of school closure for Election Day on Nov. 4. I soon found myself reflecting on the results of just a few weeks back and on what has happened since that day when the Democrats took a drumming and Republicans found themselves no longer in the position of the opposition party – except for its ongoing war with President Obama.

For myself, my candidate lost. In fact, my spouse did not even cause a ripple of notoriety or controversy. As I had written prior to the election, I was both disappointed and dissatisfied with the quality of the candidates running for Staten Island’s Congressional seat. While he has demonstrated his sensitivity for the needs of the residents of Staten Island, incumbent Republican Congressman Michael Grimm fell out of my favor because of his legal situation. As for Democrat Domenic Recchia, there is no other way of describing his campaign as a poor choice who was ill prepared and ineffective. As I said, in my mind, my choice was my wife and I took the extraordinary step of writing her in.

The result was disappointment. We did not receive a single phone call from the press and there was no celebration or crowds outside the house. She did not make a concession phone call or prepare a press release. Her moment of political celebrity did not go to her head. She was asleep before the end of the 11 o’clock news after an agonizing session of Candy Crush.

I guess I can only blame myself for her failed campaign. Well not really her campaign since I know she did not vote for herself. I guess it would help if next time (if there is a next time) I should get her to cast a ballot in her name.

Having failed to make a dent in the mainstream electorate, I decided my next social statement would be against the ongoing diminution of the holiday spirit as more retailers open their doors for business on Thanksgiving Day. I voted with my feet taking a trip around the block instead of the mall. Unfortunately, listening to the news reports about all the long lines and mad crowds storming the stores it appears the retailers have succeeded in further undermining another holiday, cracking the whip, hauling employees away from the family meal and forcing them to deal with the hordes of holiday bargain hunters.

Retail is a hard business. Profits are thin and black Friday got its name because this time of the year can make or break some retailers. I've heard a few reports that Friday sales were off from last year, which raises the question - is it worth it? Are we living to work or working to live?  

Personally, I prefer the latter. Maybe next year more people will follow my example and reject the retailer’s practice that has not received a rousing endorsement in the public opinion polls. So come along and let's join in making a new trend and have an extra helping of gluttony next Thanksgiving then take a walk around the block instead of the mall – you’ll feel better for it. Trust me.

Video: Superstorm Sandy Second Year Remembrance Midland Beach

By Mark E. Ruquet

On the second anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, residents of Midland Beach held a remembrance service at the Oasis Church on Greeley Avenue in Midland Beach, Staten Island, New York, led by Pastor Tim McIntyre. Residents packed the small church to reflect on the trauma of that day and how it has altered so many lives, in many ways not for the better. The community remembered the pain and confusion of that horrible day and recognized that while they have come far, there is still much to do. Remembered too were the neighbors lost and the reality that two years later, too many are still waiting for the aid that was allocated but has yet to be distributed. Please view this video that tells the story of how far this community has come, how far it has yet to go and its resilience in the face of adversity.

Click here to view the video.

Halloween Tricks Lead To A Ghastly Number Of Insurance Claims

A reminder from Mercury Insurance Group about how to protect your car and home from vandals around Halloween.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Pumpkins are an autumn staple, with uses ranging from jack-o'-lanterns to pies. However, Mercury Insurance reports that, in the wrong hands, pumpkins can lead to nothing but trouble, noting a substantial increase in property damage during the week of Halloween compared to an average week.

"Last year, we had nearly three percent more auto claims and five percent more homeowners claims during the week of Halloween, with our insureds reporting everything from egged and 'pumpkined' cars to creatively mummified homes," says Stephanie Behnke, claims innovation director of Mercury Insurance. "Although these may sound like harmless pranks, they can cause significant and costly damage, so taking some simple steps to protect your property is no joke."

Mercury Insurance offers the following tips to help keep you from falling victim to a Halloween trick:

Park in a garage or well-lit area when possible. Otherwise, consider installing motion detectors in your driveway to turn on lights when someone approaches. If you only have access to street parking, try to park near streetlamps.

Light your walkway. This can reduce the likelihood of vandalism to your home as well as increase visibility for costumed visitors who may have difficulty viewing the terrain.

Avoid parking in deserted areas. Vandals are less likely to do their dirty work out in the open, so park in well-populated areas whenever possible. If you're attending a Halloween party in an unfamiliar neighborhood, ask the host for recommendations on safe places to park.

Activate your alarm. Car alarms are loud and draw people's attention, so use them to deter vandals. 

Keep pets indoors. Some dogs and cats can become easily spooked by strangers or kids disguised in costumes and Halloween attire. Keep pets inside – or in a separate part of your home if you're hosting a party – to keep them safe and prevent any ugly situations where a pet can bite or scratch a guest.

If your car is damaged, many acts of vandalism fall under comprehensive insurance, according to Behnke.

"Comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle if it's damaged due to something other than a collision," she says. "For example, if rowdy teens toss pumpkins out of windows or use cars for batting practice, remaining damages would be covered after you've paid your deductible, assuming you have comprehensive insurance at the time of the incident. Otherwise, you'll need to pay for everything on your own."

Before filing a claim:

• Call the police. Filing a report provides you with an official record of the incident and, hopefully, the police will be able to track down the offender. Don't attempt to move or clean any of the damaged items until the police arrive and retrieve necessary information and document the scene.
• Take photos of the damage.
• Contact your insurer. Report claims right away to your insurance company. Mercury customers can call the company toll-free 24 hours a day, seven days a week to report a claim at (800) 503-3724.  

ABOUT MERCURY INSURANCE (www.mercuryinsurance.com)

Mercury Insurance (MCY) is a multiple-line insurance organization predominantly offering personal automobile, homeowners and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Florida, Georgia,California, New Jersey, Arizona, New York, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Since 1962, Mercury has specialized in offering quality insurance at affordable prices – core values that distinguish Mercury in the marketplace.

A Voting Quandary

I am a life-long Democrat. I believe that government does have a place in our lives. I do not believe it is some evil behemoth out to subjugate Americans. However, I am not so naïve as to believe that our elected representatives are always looking out for our best interests. There are occasions where I feel there is too much micromanaging: for example limiting the size of soda cups to control obesity. There are times when common sense and personal choice trump the nanny state. The challenge is figuring out when government needs to act in the public’s interest.

That said, next week we will once again make our biannual choice for representative government. This time around, I will probably be casting my vote for a few Republican incumbents. I read somewhere that when a voter decides to remove someone from office there should be a good reason for doing so. For some incumbents, I do not have a good reason for removing them. However, I wish I could say that for all the candidates.

Concerning Staten Island’s Congressional race – between the incumbent, Republican Congressman Michael Grimm and the challenger, Democrat Domenic Recchia, I find the choice to be a difficult one. If you watched the one debate aired by ABC Eyewitness News, the choice becomes less certain.

On debate points, I give Grimm a huge edge. He came across as knowledgeable, intelligent and levelheaded — unlike his celebrated blow-up when he threatened to throw a reporter off the balcony for asking a question about his indictment. Recchia, on the other hand, came across as a buffoon with no other message than Michael Grimm is under indictment and I’m not. He appeared ill prepared to discuss any substantive issues and was more interested in provoking an argument than defining who he is as a candidate. He gave a vague promise about looking out for the interests of State Islanders. His major platform for improving traffic congestion is the creation of a light-rail line for Staten Islanders. He obviously hasn’t done much driving around Staten Island otherwise he would realize while this might help some commuters, it would not be a panacea for the bottlenecks that create traffic crawl around the island.

In Grimm’s disfavor is the federal indictment for failing to pay workers their wages at a business he once owned. He was also involved in the investigation of some questionable campaign contributions and there was that incident with the reporter. Remember that incident during the last campaign when someone vandalized his campaign office on Hylan Boulevard? He jumped to the conclusion that it was the work of some Democratic operatives, only to discover later that it was a group of idiot kids with nothing better to do than bust windows.

However, I’ll be among the first to admit that he has worked hard for this district. I have seen him at the Superstorm Sandy related rallies and I think his involvement is genuine. His heart appears to be in the right place. I am disturbed when he tows the Republican line about Obama Care, runaway budget spending and adopts the philosophical tone that I feel will not benefit middleclass Americans struggling with stagnant wages while a small class of upper-income Americans continue to reap growing financial benefits.

The Democrats were either desperate or clueless to pick Recchia. Grimm, however, is carrying baggage that could hurt his future and his ability to exert influence within the halls of Congress. So then, what is a voter to do?

For me, I’m going to choose someone who I believe would be competent, loyal, honest and probably has as good a grasp of the issues as anyone — my wife.

Why her? Because I feel she can do as good job, if not better, than others who have held or seek to hold a seat in Congress. She is not schooled in all the nuance of foreign and domestic issues, but she will not fake what she does not know and will learn what she needs to know. One may not agree with everything she says and thinks, but I know she is not coming from a position of self-aggrandizement or desire for personal gain. She is not under indictment and she would not threaten to throw a reporter off a balcony. So come Nov. 4, my wife is getting my vote for Congress.

Some may say I’m throwing my vote away, but maybe more of us should use the ballot box to display our dissatisfaction with the current state of politics instead of sitting this one out. Vote for someone you feel is more qualified than the current choice. It may not alter the ultimate outcome of the election, but if we show enough dissatisfaction, some in Congress may get the message that we expect them to have a high degree of integrity and to engage us intelligently. Electing that kind of representative may go a long way to replacing congressional inaction with action.

A Cautionary Tale

If you are someone who believes that once you pay your insurance premium you're covered, you may want to reconsider that. On Friday, West Hartford police arrested the former president of Wright Insurance Agency in Connecticut for taking premium payments and issuing forged insurance documents.

The story appeared online on FOXCT.

Always follow-up to make sure you have a policy if one doesn't come directly from the company. If in doubt about your agent, call your state insurance office to make sure they are licensed in your state.

Additional helpful information can be found at the website of the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Build It Back Causes Sleepless Nights For My Wife

N.Y. State Sen. Andrew Lanza
(Photo: Mark Ruquet)

By Mark E. Ruquet

FEMA made my wife cry and now Build It Back is causing her to lose sleep. But there is some hope that the state will do what the city has failed to do, which is to make her and other homeowners whole again. Last Wednesday, during the Sept. 10, Midland Beach Civic Association meeting, my wife expressed her anger and frustration with the program to city officials present. She told them that their efforts to help her are failing miserably, and if completed as planned, will leave her with half the home she has now.

According to an architectural engineer from Build It Back who took measurements of our home early last week to elevate the house above the one in one hundred-year flood line, the program will not replace the space lost when they fill-in the finished basement for the elevation. Why does this upset her; because our home is a high-ranch and we live in our basement like many others in the Northeast. It is not a crawlspace for storage. It is a living area that when lost, will force members of the family to be displaced because the house is otherwise too small for everyone to live in. When she purchased the house over 30 years ago, she did so because of the basement, which she always used as a kitchen, dining room or for bedrooms over the years.

She explained that not only does the plan call for taking the space away, but what we would be left with is a home a mere two feet higher than it is now. The re-paired brick facing will be gone leaving a home sitting on pillars and open space all around. She accurately describes what we would be left with is a bungalow on concrete stilts and there is no way to argue that this eyesore does not diminish the value of the home and our quality of life.

In a broader sense, this is endemic of a system that is placing little value on the comfort of home or is striving to make people whole again. It’s nothing but band aid treatment. Two years of neglect and incompetence has been frustrating enough, but now the insult goes further when the aid we are to receive addresses part of the need and the solution diminishes the quality of life. From the comments from people around us at the meeting, we know we are not alone facing this insult. This same scenario has greeted our neighbors. Others in our community will soon find that what is supposed to be a hand of relief to aid Sandy victims is nothing more than another slap in the face.

At least one elected representative at Wednesday’s meeting heard us and agreed that this situation is unreasonable. State Senator Andrew Lanza heard my wife and said the state should try to step in and help. He made no promises, other than to see what money the state may have to help and to speak to the governor on our behalf. But he sees this for what it is — a wholly unacceptable situation that is making my wife a victim twice, once from Sandy and now from city official incompetence and intransigence. My wife hopes Mr. Lanza will keep his word and get us, and others, the help we need. But until she sees results she remains skeptical.

Her skepticism is not unfounded. A three page spread in the Sept. 5 edition of the New York Times laid out how broken the city's Build It Back program is (Titled: “Storm Rebuilding Program Mired by Its Design”). We, the victims of Sandy, in Staten Island and Brooklyn, need to make a collective effort at letting our elected officials know our displeasure with the lack of progress and how much harm their solutions are doing.

We have to ask our representatives to explain what has happened with the more than $61 billion in aid Congress approved for Sandy victims back in January of 2013. The money was to be split between victims in New York State, New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut. I don’t understand the disbursement schedule, but a good chunk of that cash had to go to New York City. A four-way split would be over $30 billion between New York State and the city. The governor’s office has said that 10,000 homes were substantially damage from the storm throughout the state. For the sake of argument, take $5 billion out for administrative costs, leaving $25 billion — if my math is right — that means $2.5 million per homeowner. Folks just need a fraction of that. So where’s the money? Where’s the help? And why is the city of New York being such a Scrooge and further ruining people’s lives?