​Borough President James Oddo will sponsor a Lyme Disease Forum in May to update Staten Islanders about the prevalence of ticks and tick-borne illness on Staten Island. This free event will be held on Wednesday, May 29th from 7:00-8:30pm at the Bernikow JCC (1466 Manor Road) and coincides with May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
 
At this forum, The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and researchers from Columbia University will present important information about Lyme disease and the black-legged ticks that are vectors for the disease. DOHMH staff will also provide statistical updates on the incidence of Lyme disease cases in New York City and on Staten Island. There will also be presentations on tick precautions and removal. There will be a demonstration of how mice bait boxes—or mice “car washes”—work, one of the tick control measures that New York City is undertaking at the urging of Borough President Oddo.
 
Topics to be discussed at the event include basic facts about Lyme disease, symptoms and health impacts, public safety tips, precautions when exploring natural areas, and do’s and don’ts on tick removal. A question and answer period with the audience will follow the presentations.
 
Speakers at the event include:

• Members of NYC DOHMH including Sally Slavinski, DVM, MPH, Assistant Director, Zoonotic and Vector borne Disease Unit; John Zuzworsky, Senior Vector Ecologist, Office of Vector Surveillance and Control; and Mario Merlino, Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Veterinary and Pest Control Services
• Maria Diuk-Wasser, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Columbia University
• Christopher J. Pappas, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Manhattanville College

 
“Our quest to mitigate the growing number of Staten Islanders suffering from Lyme disease is being fought on many fronts, and educating the public about the disease and how it is spread is a vital step,” said Borough President Oddo. “The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology at Columbia University are working with us on the front lines to combat ticks and the spread of Lyme disease. It is essential Staten Islanders gain as much information as possible to be able to protect themselves.”
 
If you wish to attend the forum, please RSVP to Diane Marciuliano at (718) 816-2246 or DMarciuliano@statenislandusa.com.
 
The Borough President’s previous Lyme disease Forum in August 2016 attracted over 100 individuals.

On April 10th, Borough President James S. Oddo awarded Monsignor Peter G. Finn with the Maniscalco Award during a ceremony at the St. George Theatre. Prior to the ceremony, a small, private plaque-unveiling took place at Borough Hall, at which Cardinal Timothy Dolan gave a blessing. Monsignor Finn was then be led up Hyatt Street by Farrell High School musicians with an NYPD escort.

At the ceremony at the St. George Theatre, Monsignor Edmund Whalen gave the evening’s invocation and Father Jerome of St. Charles Parish gave the evening's benediction. Blessed Sacrament Youth Choir performed two songs for the audience. 

A reception followed in the Grand Lobby of the St. George Theatre with donated fare from the Canlon's, Denino's Pizzeria, O'Neill's Staten Island, the Staaten, and the Port Richmond High School Culinary Arts Program.

The Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award was established in 1986 in honor of the ninth borough president. Maniscalco's tenure from 1955 to 1965 saw the creation of the Greenbelt and the construction of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The award celebrates the civic-mindedness and tireless energy of individuals or organizations that work to help community members in need and to make Staten Island a better place.

“It is my pleasure and honor to be able to – with the Maniscalco Family – bestow this award on Monsignor Finn,” said Borough President Oddo. “He has been a reliable, comforting presence on Staten Island for so many of us – from Farrell grads to the community at large. He embodies all of the values that this award stands for and I’m thrilled to make him part of such an exclusive club of Staten Islanders.”

Monsignor Peter G. Finn was born and raised on Staten Island. A graduate of St. Peter’s Boys High School, he was ordained in 1965. Monsignor Finn has been the pastor of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church since 2007.  He was the co-vicar of Staten Island with Monsignor James Dorney. Monsignor Finn was the rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, N.Y., from 2001 to 2007.  Before that, he was the pastor of St. Joseph-St. Thomas R.C. Church.  From 1983 to 1989, Monsignor Finn was the director of the Archdiocese Office of Communications.  He was also the principal of Monsignor Farrell High School, where he had been a faculty member.  Monsignor Finn was the district superintendent of schools on Staten Island.  He received a bachelor of arts from Manhattan College and a master of divinity from St. Joseph’s Seminary. He also holds degrees from Richmond Community College and Columbia University. 

Monsignor Finn has long been an active supporter of the ecumenical activities on Staten Island and the Council of Churches.  He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and the Knights of Malta.  He also serves on a number of boards, including Project Hospitality, the Staten Island Catholic Youth Organization, Carmel Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, the Seton Foundation, Archdiocese of the Ladies of Charity and the Staten Island Center for Independent Living.

“I feel honored,” said Monsignor Finn. “I knew the late Albert Maniscalo and his family. They stood for service. I am in the company of dedicated Staten Island leaders.”

Around 250 people attended the evening's ceremony. 
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Here are the past winners of the Maniscalco Award:
Richard E. Diamond, John L.F. Sipp, Norma D'Arrigo, Allan Weissglass, Martin Stallone, Roger E. Acker, Reverend Robert I. Gannon, Michael F. Manzulli, Michael J. Petrides, Marie G. Martino, Frank Powers, Susie Hyun Sook Beidel, Brian J. Laline, Reverend Hattie Smith-Davis, and Joseph V. Madory, Lou Caravone, Jose Joe Valentin, Nancy Passeri, retired Borough Commander Anthony Marra, Reverend Terry Troia, Senator John J. Marchi, Wendy Pellegrino, Fred Ariemma, Joanne E. Gerenser, Ph.D., Dr. S. Chitoor Govindaraj, Kathryn Krause Rooney, the Siller Family, George and Maria Esposito, the Mannix Family, the Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation, William A. Morris Jr., Lois and Richard Nicotra, and Dee Vandenburg.

​Borough President James Oddo and District Attorney Michael E. McMahon will host the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Breakfast on Tuesday, March 26th at 9am at the Hilton Garden Inn in the Tea House Garden. The ceremony, which continues the thirteen-year commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the conflict, will honor those who served in the U.S. Armed Forced during the Vietnam War era. The breakfast will begin at 9am, with the ceremony to start at 10am. 

At the third annual breakfast, veterans will be given a symbol of appreciation by BP Oddo and DA McMahon. In addition, there will be a POW/MIA recognition ceremony. 

Staten Island residents who were active members of the military during the period from 1955 to 1975 are eligible to attend the breakfast. Veterans may be asked to provide their DD-214 as proof of service.

“Our veterans have made our freedom and way of life possible, and for this we continue to thank them,” said Borough President Oddo. “Many of our veterans who served bravely in the Vietnam War were not welcomed home properly when they returned. I am extremely thankful to all those who have dedicated their lives in service to protecting this country, and for that DA McMahon and I are happy to continue this ceremony to recognize their heroism, sacrifice, and service to our country.” 

“Today as Americans we rightfully greet those returning home from serving our nation with gratitude and praise; the same cannot be said for the men and women who served in Vietnam. Upon their return, our Vietnam vets were often met with disrespect and outright disdain. Joining with Borough President Oddo to once again give these heroes a long overdue ‘Thank You’ and ‘Welcome Home’ is a true privilege and I encourage all of our Vietnam veterans to join us for a celebration of their service both abroad and here at home,” said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. 

Veterans wishing to attend the ceremony must RSVP to Diane Marciuliano at (718) 816-2246 or DMarciuliano@statenislandusa.com by March 18th.

​On Monday, December 11th, BP Oddo hosted the annual Borough Hall Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. At the event, carols and theatrical scenes were performed by local talents, including Al Lambert, House of Cadre, Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre, and D. Sharp Studios. Santa joined BP Oddo to light the Christmas tree and give out books to children who attended.
 
“This is a great moment for all of us to come together and celebrate the season,” said BP Oddo. “I hope all Staten Islanders have a safe and happy holiday season!”
 
The event was sponsored by Allstate, Cake Chef's Cookie Jar, the Gavel Grill, the National Lighthouse Museum, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Staten Island Yankees.

On Wednesday, December 5th, BP Oddo hosted Borough Hall's annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony. At the event, students sang Hanukkah songs before participants lit the menorah and sampled traditional holiday treats.
 
“Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights, so it’s only fitting that we celebrate the joy and light in our lives at this time of year,” said BP Oddo.
 
The event was sponsored by the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island.

Borough President James S. Oddo is pleased to announce that his annual Menorah Lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 5th in Borough Hall, Room 125. He will also host a Christmas Tree Lighting on Monday, December 10th outside on Borough Hall Plaza (facing the Ferry terminal). Both events will begin at 6:30pm.

At the Christmas event, carols will be performed by local musical talents. Santa will join Borough President Oddo to light the Christmas tree and give out books to children who attend. The event is sponsored by Allstate, the Gavel Grill, the National Lighthouse Museum, and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.

The Menorah Lighting ceremony will feature musical performances from various community groups. The event, which celebrates the Festival of Lights, is sponsored by the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island.
 
“We invite all Staten Islanders to join us to celebrate the spirit of the season at our annual holiday lightings,” said BP Oddo.
​
Both events are open to the public.

​On Thursday, November 1st, BP Oddo hosted a Staten Island Ferry Town Hall at Curtis High School. The event gave commuters the opportunity to voice their concerns about Ferry service directly to City agencies.
 
Topics discussed included better coordination with connecting bus and SIR service, aggressive panhandling, and construction in and around the terminals.
 
“I’m pleased to see commuters participating in a forum like this to improve this vital service,” said BP Oddo. “We will work to get you answers on these questions.”
 
Agencies in attendance included the Department of Transportation, the Department of Social Services, the Parks Department, the Department of Consumer Affairs, NYPD, and the MTA.

On Wednesday, October 31st, Borough President James S. Oddo and Council Member Joe Borelli hosted “Halloween Hoopla,” a Halloween festival for children and their families.

For the annual event, Bloomingdale Park was transformed into “Boo!mingdale Park.” The event featured a hay maze, pony rides, inflatable attractions, sidewalk chalk and a bubble zone, photo spots, a costume parade, and trick-or-treating. The children were also treated by a musical performance by “Music With Patrick” and animal presentations from the Staten Island Zoo.

“This was a wonderful celebration that kids of all ages were able to enjoy. Special thanks to all of those who helped us make the day so special for these families,” said BP Oddo.
​
Thousands attended the free event.