Senator Greg Ball, NY District 40

By Jane K Dove

Theresa Pirraglia of Katonah, founder of a special needs school for children with autism, has been nominated by New York state Sen. Greg Ball as his 2013 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction. Ms. Pirraglia will represent the 40th New York State Senate District, which covers Lewisboro and Katonah.

Theresa Pirraglia of Katonah is being recognized by state Sen. Greg Ball for her work with autistic children. (Courtesy of Sen. Greg Ball)

Ms. Pirraglia, who has a 25-year-old autistic son, Matthew, joined with her husband, Joe, and seven other families in 1996 to found the Devereux Millwood Learning Center in Westchester County. The center was the first school in the lower Hudson Valley for children with autism based on the principles of applied behavioral analysis.

Today, the school serves autistic children and young people age 5 to 21 from throughout the region.

“I can’t think of a more deserving person for this honor,” Mr. Ball said. “From helping other parents with special needs children navigate the education system, to fighting the closure of the Devereux Day Habilitation Program, Terry is truly doing God’s work. It is a fitting tribute to honor her as a 2013 New York State Woman of Distinction alongside other women of distinction from throughout this great state.”

Challenges spark progress

Ms. Pirraglia, a native of the Bronx, is a graduate of Fordham University with a degree in communications. Her husband, Joe, is a dentist with a practice in Cold Spring. The couple has two sons, Joseph, 27, and Matthew, 25, who has autism.

“Matthew was two and a half when he was diagnosed with autism,” Ms. Pirraglia told The Ledger earlier this week. “Once the diagnosis was made, we put him in an early intervention program, but he simply was not making any progress. We decided to change direction and began using the technique of applied behavioral analysis at home. But we knew this was only temporary and couldn’t go on indefinitely.”

At this point, the Pirraglias joined forces with seven other families with autistic children and approached the Devereux Foundation for assistance with opening a special private school, supported by public funding, for autistic children.

The center was the first school for children with autism based on the principles of applied behavioral analysis in the lower Hudson Valley.

“The school is totally dedicated to autism,” Ms. Pirraglia said. “The goal is to get the young people back into their regular school systems, and many are able to do that.”

Once the school was up and running with great success, Ms. Pirraglia and her group wanted to help meet the new “demographic tsunami” of adults with autism throughout New York.

Taking the initiative, she designed and co-founded with the Devereux Foundation the first Enhanced Supported Employment and Day Habilitation Without Walls program.

This program has enabled young adults with autism to obtain and maintain paid employment in their communities in the Hudson Valley. In addition, the program provides ongoing volunteer opportunities for all its participants.

“This program has enabled young adults with autism to be full contributing members in their local communities,” Ms. Pirraglia said. “Locally we cooperate with the Boys & Girls Club of Mt. Kisco, Northern Westchester Hospital, the Bethel Nursing Home in Croton, and others.”

The autistic young people learn work skills in these organizations that can help them gain employment.

“The goal is help them get skills that can translate into the larger workplace,” Ms. Pirraglia said. “But the volunteer aspect is also very important. They gain a great deal of satisfaction from that and it is not to be underestimated. Right now the age range of our participants is 21 to 27 and we have 15 young people enrolled.”

Lots to do

When asked what she believed was behind the recent dramatic increase in the number of autistic patients, Ms. Pirraglia said it was open to different interpretations.

“When our son was first diagnosed more than two decades ago, it was one in several thousand. Now it is one in 80 childen and four-to-one male.

“Definitions of autism have been expanded greatly, which accounts for some of it, certainly, and I think it was under-diagnosed before. Some of it could be genetic; some could be environmental. I personally do not believe it is caused by vaccines. We are still looking for the answers.”

In addition to her work with the school and the work skills program, Ms. Pirraglia has been a leader in the developmental disability community in New York state. She has co-chaired 12 educational and medical conferences on autism with such partners as the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and the Westchester Institute for Human Development.

She is currently a board member of the Foundation for Educating Children with Autism, Mental Health News Education Inc., and a member of Westchester County’s Autism Advisory Committee. In addition, she sits on the editorial board of Autism Spectrum News.

“I would like to sincerely thank Sen. Greg Ball for selecting me as the 40th NYS Senatorial District’s Woman of Distinction,” Ms. Pirraglia said, “and I am truly humbled by it. It has been my privilege to work with persons with developmental disabilities and their families, who struggle every day to have a quality of life that all New Yorkers take for granted.”

Ms. Pirraglia will be honored at Mr. Greg Ball’s 40th Senate District Women of Distinction Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Putnam County Emergency Services Building starting at 2 p.m. (ARTICLE)

Brewster, N.Y. – (5/15/2013) –Senator Greg Ball (R,C,I-Patterson), Heroes in Transition, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 21, are asking the public to “sponsor a vet” to help them send over one hundred World War II veterans to visit the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. this fall.

“In honor of all of the World War II veterans I am happy to announce that I will be organizing a free trip for them to visit the World War II memorial in Washington D.C. According to the Veteran’s Administration, our World War II veterans are dying at a rate of 600 per day,” said Senator Greg Ball. “These brave men and women gave so much to fight for our nation’s safety and freedom and it is my honor to give them an opportunity to see the national monument that was created in honor of their service.”

The trip, which will take place on September 17^th is free and open to all WWII veterans. Chartered buses will leave from Senator Ball’s District Office in Brewster, NY and take the veterans to Washington D.C., where they will place a wreath at memorial the in honor of all WWII veterans from the 40^th Senate District. Heroes in Transition, a sponsor of the event, will be accepting donations to help pay for the busing and food for the veterans.

The sponsorships range from $25 lunch sponsors, to $1,000 bus sponsors. Anyone interested in donating can go to the Heroes in Transition’s website: heroesintransition.org and make a donation online. Checks can also be made payable to Heroes In Transition and sent to 22 Bates Road, Suite 135, Mashpee, MA 02649.

“Heroes in Transition has been providing assistance to veterans in honor of fallen Marine Captain Eric A. Jones since 2010,” said Heroes in Transition President Michael Warshaw. “It is our honor to be able to help these American heroes finally see the WWII memorial and also find peace by being able pay their final respects to their dear friends and fellow military servicemen and women who lost their lives in WWII.”

“We deeply appreciate all the efforts of Senator Ball and Heroes in Transition to make this trip possible,” said Eugene Parrotta, Chair of Senator Greg Ball’s Veteran’s Advisory Council, and member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. “We are excited that these WWII veterans will get a chance to see the monument that was built in their honor.”

To RSVP for the road trip please contact Senator Greg Ball’s office at (845) 279-3773 or kgobins@nysenate.gov.

For more information, please contact Joe Bachmeier: (845) 200-9716.

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Brewster, N.Y. – (5/14/2013) – Senator Greg Ball (R,C,I-Patterson) announced today that he is co-sponsoring S4876, a piece of legislation that will require newly certified teachers to receive instruction on the use of an epinephrine auto-injector .

Food allergies occur in approximately 8% of children, and according to the National Institutes of Health, there are 150 deaths per year due to food allergies. Epinephrine is vital to the survival of a person experiencing anaphylaxis (a sudden, potentially fatal reaction to food or insect stings). However, it must be administered in a timely manner for it to be effective.

While every school district has a medical officer, there is no requirement that a nurse be present in a school building at all times. Given the possibility of a delay in getting a licensed healthcare provider to a child in anaphylaxis shock, it is important that teachers understand how to use an Epipen,

The force behind the legislation is Stacey Saiontz, a Chappaqua parent, with a young son that has life-threatening allergies to dairy, egg, wheat, oat, rye, barley, tree nuts and sesame.

“I never leave my son with an adult or babysitter who doesn’t understand how to administer an epinephrine auto-injector. However, in New York State, teachers who we entrust our children with for the majority of our waking hours, are not required to be trained,” said Saiontz. “This life-saving medication can be used in the event of a severe allergic reaction at school.”

“With the number of children being diagnosed with food allergies on the rise, this is a common sense bill that we need to pass to protect our children. We cannot wait for a tragedy to occur before we act, let’s be proactive and pass this bill now,” said Senator Greg Ball. “I would like to thank Mrs. Saiontz for her work on this bill and for bringing the issue to my attention. She has my full support in fighting for her son and for all the children across New York State with food allergies.”

The Bill does not cost the state any money as there are several free online courses that will train teachers. The school nurse would also be allowed to provide the training. Furthermore, the bill provides liability protection to teachers under the Good Samaritan Law.

For more information, please contact Joe Bachmeier: (845) 200-9716.

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NEW LEBANON – State Police have arrested a Hopewell Junction man for possessing a legally possessed handgun, but with a clip containing nine bullets. The new state SAFE Act limits the amount of rounds in a clip to seven.

As a result, troopers charges Gregory Dean, Jr., 31, with unlawful possession of certain ammunition feeding devices and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, both misdemeanors, and a traffic infraction. He was issued appearance tickets.

Dean was stopped on Route 22 in the Town of New Lebanon at 9:45 p.m. on Sunday. He had a legally possessed .40 caliber handgun on the front passenger seat partially covered by a sweatshirt…

Senator Gregory Ball (R- Patterson) called the charge “a very sad day for all fair minded New Yorkers who believe in justice and value freedom.” (ARTICLE)

Brewster, N.Y. – (5/13/2013) – Senator Greg Ball (R,C,I-Patterson) Chairman of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee issued the following statement in regards to the recent reports of a Dutchess County man being arrested for violating the “NY SAFE Act”.

Gregory D Dean Jr., 31, of Hopewell Junction, was pulled over on Sunday evening in New Lebanon because the vehicle’s license-plate lamp was not working. Troopers found Dean with a legally registered pistol with a magazine that contained nine bullets, two more than the recently passed “SAFE Act” allows. Police charged Dean with unlawful possession of certain ammunition feeding devices, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and other vehicle infractions.

“This is a very sad day for all fair minded New Yorkers who believe in justice and value freedom. Here we see the full effect of our actions as the SAFE Act turns a law abiding citizen into a criminal. This didn’t save a life, this just destroyed one man’s life,” said Senator Greg Ball. “I continue to plead with this Governor to please allow the common sense changes to this bill, that are obviously necessary.”

For more information, please contact Joe Bachmeier: (845) 200-9716.

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I recently returned from an Economic Development Tour in Austin, Texas and while the focus was on jobs and economic development, I took time most days to run the 8 miles or so around the city’s lake.

Austin is a fit city and as I ran around the lake, I was repeatedly passed. The competitor in me took notice. Indeed, Texas is moving, and they are moving fast, but not just on the trails that wrap around their lakes. Texas is moving economically – and New York better take notice.

The first thing you notice is new construction everywhere. And unlike in New York State, the construction is not exclusively public projects. There is private investment spurring private construction and development everywhere. Smartly, the public sector is keeping pace investing in their infrastructure and building new bridges, roads and public works projects.

I went in search of the key factors that make Texas appealing to economic drivers and job producers from around the world. I quickly realized Texas government works hand in hand with entrepreneurs and innovators to streamline economic development. In fact, in the 2013 Thumbtack.com U.S. Small Business Friendliness Survey, Texas was rated A for overall friendliness, while New York trailed the pack with a D+ rating.

In meetings with key business and political leaders I came away with three key deliverables New York must enact to ensure we stay viable as a state: 1) Public-private partnerships 2) Cutting red tape and 3) Supporting job creators. While New York has become the “exodus” state, Texas has grown in population by 20.6%, according to the 2012 census, which translates to over 1,000 new residents every single day – we do not have time to waste.

Public-private partnerships (P3) have proved very beneficial in Texas. Austin City Hall is an example of this government innovation. The city developed a new city hall with mixed-use commercial space. The project benefits both the public interest and private business ventures while limiting the financial responsibilities of taxpayers.

The state government has also been able to utilize recently passed legislation to remove financial responsibility from the taxpayer while ensuring critical public works projects are completed. This legislation saves Texas taxpayer’s significant sums of money, all while ensuring high paying jobs for Texas and completing important projects of concern to the public.

New York could easily embrace P3 legislation and use it to properly complete the Tappan Zee Bridge project. In one fell swoop, such an action would create more than 50,000 good paying local jobs. New York based pension funds, endowments, and other investment mechanisms could invest right here in the Empire State. We could deliver a fully transit ready bridge while ensuring good paying jobs for New Yorkers. I urge Governor Cuomo and all government leaders to join with me in supporting public private partnerships, alleviating tax payer liabilities and ensuring our economic growth, immediately.

Reduced regulation and red tape is another bright spot for Texas. We have heard about it for many years in New York, but great projects and economic opportunities are delayed by years of government intrusion and strict approval processes. In Austin a typical major development project usually takes about a year and 1/2 to be approved. A similar project in New York can take 10 years, or more for final approvals to break ground.

Jobs, jobs, jobs. It needs to be our main focus right now in New York. Texas has created a prosperous and business friendly state. Businesses of all sizes and types are looking to employee people with varying professional backgrounds and experiences. Providing appropriate tax breaks and job credits to employers is the first step that needs to be taken. This business friendly environment is clearly reflected in their unemployment numbers. In February of 2013, Austin ranked as one of the best cities for employment with an unemployment rate of 5%, compared to New York’s 8.8% rate.

In our most recent budget we were able to include tax credits for businesses that employ veterans. We must go much further though. Making the employment of New Yorkers a worthwhile task is something our state government can easily do. Texas rewards job creators; it is time for New York to do the same.

New York is the Empire State with so much to offer. Many say our best days are behind us. If we continue at the rate we have been going that very well could be the case. Texas offers a model that can help turn things around. We can bring back jobs and economic activity to our state.

To my colleagues in the legislature, to this good Governor and to all local elected officials: As citizens of the Empire State, the choice is ours. This is our moment, and time is of the essence. Tinkering around the edges will only slow the blood flow, it will not halt the ongoing decline. To stop being ranked, year after year, as 50th in all the wrong ways, we must immediately change our tax climate, redirect huge resources to critical infrastructure, pass innovative funding mechanisms like public private partnership legislation and streamline our planning and environmental reviews to help builders, developers and job creators do what they do best, create jobs.

Maybe some in government like being lapped, I don’t. Let’s get the Empire State back on track and moving in the right direction. It’s time to lead the pack, once again.

For more information, please contact Joe Bachmeier at (845) 200 9716.

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Brewster, N.Y. – 5/13/2013 – Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) presented Jacob Wassey of Yorktown Troop 267 with a New York State Senate Proclamations for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

Eagle Scout is the highest possible rank in the Boy Scouts of America. The Eagle Scout is an honor that is held for life and is said, “once an Eagle, always an Eagle.”

“There are a very small percentage of scouts that ever make it to the Eagle Scout ranking and I would like to congratulate Jacob for all his hard work to achieve this prestigious ranking,” said Senator Greg Ball. “It was a great honor for me to meet Jacob and learn about his project of trail repair and for the community in Peekskill. I look forward to great things from Jacob in the future.”

For Jacob’s Eagle Scout Project he did trail repair and raised walkways, prior conditions have made the trail inadequate to walk. Large rocks, roots, heavy rain and flooding made it impossible to pass. After he completed his project children are now able to use the trail for a  safe passage to and from school and also to enjoy the outdoors.

For more information, please contact Joe Bachmeier at (845) 200 9716.

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Albany, N.Y. – 5/08/2013 – Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) has nominated Theresa Pirraglia of Katonah as his 2013 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.

“I can’t think of a more deserving person for this honor. From helping other parents with special needs children navigate the education system, to fighting the closure of the Devereux Day Habilitation Program, Terry is truly doing God’s work,” said Senator Greg Ball. “What a fitting tribute to honor Terry into the 2013 New York State Women of Distinction alongside other women of distinction from throughout this great state.”

“I would like to sincerely thank Senator Greg Ball for selecting me as the 40th NYS Senatorial district’s Woman of Distinction. It is a great honor and I am truly humbled by it,” said Theresa Pirraglia. “It has been my privilege to work with persons with developmental disabilities and their families, who struggle every day to have a quality of life that all New Yorkers take for granted.”

Theresa Pirraglia is a leader in the developmental disability community in New York State. Mrs. Pirraglia possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of developmental disabilities, especially autism.

As the parent of 25 year old son with autism she has both developed and pioneered cutting edge programs for person with autism through New York State’s Special Education and OPWDD systems.

In 1996 along with her husband, Joe and seven other families she founded the Devereux Millwood Learning Center in Westchester County New York. The center was the first school for children with autism based on the principles of applied behavioral analysis in the lower Hudson Valley.

Mrs. Pirraglia has co-chaired twelve educational and medical conferences on autism with such partners as the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the Westchester Institute for Human Development.

In 2009 to help meet the demographic tsunami of adults with autism in New York she designed and co- founded with the Devereux Foundation the first Enhanced Supported Employment and Day Habilitation Without Walls program. This program has enabled young adults with autism to obtain and maintain paid employment in their communities in the lower Hudson valley. In addition, this program provides ongoing voluntary opportunities for all its participants. This has enabled these young adults with autism to be full contributing members to their state and local communities.

Presently, Mrs. Pirraglia is a Board member of the Foundation for Educating Children with Autism, Mental Health News Education Inc. and a member Westchester County’s Autism Advisory committee. In addition she sits on the editorial board of “Autism Spectrum News.”

Theresa will also be honored at Senator Greg Ball’s 40^th Senate District Women of Distinction Hall of Fame on Saturday, September 8, 2013 at the Putnam County Emergency Services Building starting at 2pm.

For more information, please contact Joe Bachmeier at (845) 200 9716.

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[From left to right: Cheyanne Alberti (accepting on behalf of Hazel Martinez), Senator Greg Ball and John Hyland]

Albany, N.Y. – (5/08/13) – Senator Greg Ball (R,C,I-Patterson) honored Hazel Martinez of Patterson and John Hyland of Brewster as the Putnam County New York State Senior Citizens Of The Year. New York State Senior Citizens’ Day was created to honor those who help others and make their communities better for citizens of all ages.

Hazel was unable to make the trip to Albany so accepting the award on her behalf was the President of the Golden Age Seniors of Patterson, Cheyanne Alberti.

“I am so happy to honor both Hazel and John as Senior Citizens Of The year,” said Senator Greg Ball. “These are two remarkable people that are prime examples of how  important it is to contribute to the community and help those who are less fortunate.”

Hazel Martinez was born in Pennsylvania and has lived in Putnam Lake for 66 years. She worked for 8 years at Green Chimneys as a social worker. Among her achievements, she is the proud mother of three sons. Unfortunately one son, PFC Robert Gracia, was killed during the Vietnam War. Since her son lost his life in the service of his country, with a heavy heart, she became a member of the American Gold Star Mothers organization. Hazel is a member of the Golden Agers of Patterson and has been a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary 9257 of Putnam Lake for 35 years. She has volunteered for 5 years at the Castle Point Veterans Hospital where she brings clothes and items to help those in need. Hazel says she has been volunteering for close to 50 years and does not have any plans on stopping.

John Hyland was born and raised in the Bronx and currently resides in Brewster. John had a 33 year career with what is now Verizon Communications. John has been part of the NYC Auxiliary Police since 1969 and won several awards including an Award for Valor for saving a woman trapped in a burning building. He has been President of the NYC PBA since the early 1970’s as well as an active Hibernian, holding every elected office in Division 7 in Bronx County. Mr. Hyland is closely affiliated with the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manhattan and was an aide to Grand Marshall in 2010. John is President of Samuel Gompers High School Alumni Association in the Bronx. For the annual Putnam County Humane Society Parade, John fills the role of Santa Claus and does the train exhibit at Brewster Library as well as the September 11th exhibit. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Bell Tel. Retirees with over 128,000 members. Lastly John is affiliated with the Archdiocese of NY and the old St. Patrick‘s Church.

For more information, please contact Joe Bachmeier: (845) 200-9716.

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Brewster, N.Y. – (5/06/13) – Joyce Butterfield has been honored as the Town of Pound Ridge’s nomination for the 2^nd Annual Women of Distinction Hall of Fame, hosted by Senator Greg Ball (R,C,I-Patterson).

Created and hosted by Senator Ball, The Women Of Distinction Hall of Fame was designed to honor outstanding women from throughout the 40th Senate District. Towns, villages and cities district-wide are currently in the process of selecting their nominees that will eventually lead up to a hall of fame ceremony in September.

“I am honored to accept Ms. Butterfield into my Women of Distinction Hall of Fame,” said Senator Greg Ball. “I am so impressed by the lifelong dedication to community service that Joyce has made. She has put service before herself and has made a tremendous mark on the community.”

“It is exciting and rewarding to be part of history,” said Joyce Butterfield. “I thank Senator Ball for this special honor of representing Pound Ridge and its women volunteers.”

Ms. Butterfield is a life member of The Pound Ridge Historical Society, serving as the President, Vice President, Trustee and Board Member. Ms. Butterfield has also served as a member of the Queens Historical Society and a volunteer on the Pound Ridge Landmarks Commission. Serving as a mentor for Girl Scout Gold Award recipients, Ms. Butterfield is a life time member of the Girl Scouts, after joining in 1970, serving as the Whitestone District Chairwoman.

Ms. Butterfield is a mother of three children, including her daughter Nancy who nominated her, and recently celebrated for 50th wedding anniversary with her husband Luke Butterfield.

The ceremony will be hosted on Sunday, September 8, 2013 at the Putnam County Emergency Services Building starting at 2pm.

           For more information, please contact Joe Bachmeier: (845) 200-9716.

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