By Rob Abruzzese, Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brooklyn Supreme Court Administrative Judge Lawrence Knipel (left) and Justice Bruce Balter (right) were on hand with President of the Supreme Court Officers Association Patrick Cullen (center) for the 35th annual New York State Supreme Court Officers Association dinner dance on Tuesday night. Eagle photos by Mario Belluomo.
The crowd included some of Brooklyn’s top judges as Maj. Terrence Flanagan, Hon. Darcel D. Clark and Peter Meringolo were honored at the event. Five court officers were given First Aid — Life Saving Awards, five were given the Medal of Valor and 23 were given the Meritorious Service Award.
“Labor unions have come to a critical time and place,” said Patrick Cullen, president of SCOA. “The enemies of labor are at our doorstep and all we can count on in this battle is each other. We must not falter as these wolves in sheep’s clothing will stop at nothing to see the ultimate demise of what organized labor has been over the last 80 years.
“The ultra-rich are looking to swing the pendulum so far to their side that it will never swing back,” Cullen continued. “We must be prepared to fight as those who came before us have done, and be ready to pass the union along to those in the future.”
Hon. Darcel D. Clark (left), district attorney-elect in the Bronx, and Maj. Terrence Flanagan (right) were honored as Woman and Man of the Year, respectively, by the New York State Supreme Court Officer’s Association. Pictured with SCOA president Patrick
Patrick Cullen (left) and his vice president Patrick O’Malley (right) presented Peter Meringolo with the Special Recognition Award.
Clark, who was elected as the Bronx district attorney earlier this month, was given the Woman of the Year Award for her illustrious career and for her unwavering support of the court officers union.
“She is as tremendous a legal figure as there is in New York. She has been a prosecutor, a criminal court judge, a supreme court justice and an associate justice of the appellate division,” Cullen said. “Now, she is the district attorney of Bronx County and will continue to be a fierce advocate for the law.”
Flanagan was named Man of the Year after a 27 year career which has been spent mostly in Kew Gardens.
“Our Man of the Year honoree is someone who has risen through the ranks of the job and has consistently displayed fairness and honesty in a career spanning 27 years,” Cullen said. “Maj. Terrence Flanagan exhibits simple qualities, he leads by example, he respects all who work for him, he understands the complexities of our duties and gives everyone a fair shake. We present this award in honor of his character and his integrity.”
Patrick Cullen and Maj. Luz Bryan.
Drum Sgt. Steve Allgor (second from right) was presented with a special plaque for his 30 years of service as a court officer and 27 years as a member of the New York State Court Pipes and Drums. Pictured from left with Patrick Cullen, Hon. Bruce Balter a
Finally, Peter Meringolo, chairman of the New York State Public Employee Conference, received the SCOA’s Special Recognition Award for the work he has done with the organization over the years.
“Peter is a tireless advocate for labor of all shapes and sizes throughout New York City,” Cullen said. “His unmatched acumen was developed by running the corrections Captain’s Unit for 17 years. Under his guidance, public employees’ confidence has grown and its voice has gotten louder. It’s his easy demeanor and his genuine desire to help that has brought him so much success.”
Officers who received the First Aid — Life Saving award included CO Donnamarie Karaduzovic, CO Errol Downie, CO Michael McCann, CO Joseph Fontanez and CO Matthew Serrano. The Medal of Valor went to Sgt. Dominico Dipietrantonio, SCO Robert Morris, CO Angel Ripolls, SCO John Liscoe and CO David Acevedo.
The Meritorious Service medals were awarded to CO Jennifer Boyd, CO Erika Subira, SCO John Marsico, CO Shawn Raleigh, Sgt. Daniel Sweeney, Sgt. Daniel Ventarola, Sgt. Ralph Cannon, Sgt. Fabian Stone, CO Joel Ramdeen, SCO John Morrison, CO Brendan Mullaney, CO Gabriel Rodriguez, CO Lillie Donaldson, CO Jessica Pena, CO Nicole Patterson, Sgt. Brian Rafford, CO Richard Rodriguez, CO Jacqueline Brown-Mayo, CO John Gonzalez, Sgt. Jason O’Connor, CO Mark Hirschman, SCO Leonard Mangiapane and CO Shevar Wittaker.
Frank “Paco” Arce cuts a special cake to celebrate the 240th anniversary of the U.S. Marines on the day before Veterans Day.