Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York • 7

OBITUARIES NEWSE I 7A Monday, October 11, 2010 Obituaries cuomo crmcizes raiaaino on homosexuality 1 1 Jv I Stonewall Inn in Manhattan, a gay bar Where riots in response to a police raid sparked tie gay-rights movement Cuomo campaign spokesman Josh Vlasto criticized Paladino's remarks. "Mr. Paladino's statement displays a stunning homophobia and a glaring disregard for basic equality," he said. "These comments along with other views he has espoused make it clear that he is way out of the mainstream and is unfit torepresent New York." Cuomo's policy book notes that several states and a number of countries have "surpassed" New York by legalizing same-sex marriage. Not making gay marriage legal denies couples and their families 1,000 federal and 700 state rights and responsibilities, it says.

"Marriage equality is a question of principle and the state shouldn't discriminate against same-sex couples who wish to get married," it says. Birchard, Donald "Duck" Montrose: Donald "Duck" Birchard, 74, of Montrose, PA, passed away on Saturday, October 2010, at the Endless Mountains Health Systems, after an extended illness. He was born in Dimock PA, to the late Lewis E. and Ethel Lois (Wood) Birchard. His wife of 52 years, Janet L.

Birchard, survives. Also surviving are his four sons and daughters-in-law, Keith. and Diana Birchard, Montrose, PA, John and Timna Birchard, Montrose, PA, Brian and Debbi Birchard, Montrose, PA, Rodney and Sarah Birchard, Springville, PA; five grandchildren, Kristen, John, Travis, Emily and Casen; three brothers, Elwin Calvin and Edwin; seven sisters, JBarbara, Joyce, Audrey, Connie, Lois Elaine "Wee and Kim; numerous nieces and nephews. His three brothers, Ronald, Duane and Robert predeceased Donald. "Duck" was a lifetime member of the United Fire and owner of Plumbing, Heating and Electrical Co.

He enjoyed Nascar, could literally fix anything, loved being outside, especially hunting and camping. He was a proud chair holder at the Stables Restaurant "table and was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 13, 2010, at the Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home, Montrose, PA, with Rev.

Jane M. Pykus, of the Montrose United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in the Montrose Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m., at the funeral home. Donations in Duck's memory can be made to either the United Fire P.O.

286, Montrose, PA 18801 or to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 207 Locust Montrose, PA 18801. pressconnects.com The easy way to pay for your subscription remarks By Cara Matthews clmatthegannett.com Albany Bureau ALBANY Republican Carl Paladino on Sunday made remarks critical of homosexuality, drawing a sharp rebuke from Democratic rival Andrew Cuomo. "I didn't march in a gay pride parade this year. My opponent did, and that's not the example that we should be showing our children, certainly not in our schools," Paladino told Orthodox Jewish leaders in Brooklyn in a video posted by WNYC radio. Cuomo, state attorney general, marched in a gay pride parade in June.

Paladino, a Buffalo businessman, said he didn't want to be misquoted "as wanting to hurt homosexual people in any way. That would be a dastardly lie. My approach is live and let live," he said. "I just think my children and your children would be PALADINO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A received tax credits and failed to create a single job, records show. It was one of 100 companies kicked out of the program that year following legislative changes to the program that tightened job creation requirements.

Records also show companies Paladino has financial ties to received tens of thousands of dollars each in tax benefits, but in most cases created fewer than five jobs. Another company, Michigan-Seneca Group received $41,759 in reported zero jobs created. Paladino's campaign manager Michael Caputo rejects the criticism of the program, saying thousands ofjobsinBuf-falo would not have been created without the tax credits. fThe Empire Zone program was designed in large part for development in the inner cities," Caputo said. "If they (Paladino's opponents) had done their homework, they would find that Carl Paladino was no different from any other developer that has participated in the program at all If it weren't for the Empire Zone, developers would not be developing in the inner cities." Paladino has argued that J-PGroup'sdecertificationwas illegal and is appealing the ac-tioa He's also defended the state contracts and political contributions, pointing to the realities of doing business in New York.

Caputo also said that Paladino has helped create thousands of jobs and that he has lured new tenants and busi- WINDOWS Pratt, Dale A. Binghamton: A. Pratt, Binghamton, Dale 49, of formerly of Glen Aubrey, NY, lost her battle with cancer on Friday, October 8th, 2010. Dale leaves behind the family that she loved and devoted her entire life to. Her grandchildren that were the center of her world since the day they came into her life, Brooklynn Flynn Pratt and Nathan M.

Pratt; daughter, Brandi (Dana) Stanton; son, Nathan G. Pratt; stepson, Joshua Marbaker; fiance, Paul Marbaker, parents, Glenn and Shirley Simpson; two sisters, Gail (Thomas) Drury and Jean (James) Hendrick; four nieces, Nicole Drury, Jessica' (William) Kenney, Andrea (Zachary) Stevens, Jamie Hendrick; two great-nieces, Tara Lamphear, Mackenzi Stevens; aunt, Elizabeth Transue and many others that she loved from the Simpson, Pratt and Marbaker families along with all the great friends that she made along the way. Family and friends are gathering at the Glen Aubrey Fire Station on Saturday, October 16th, 2010, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm to celebrate Dale's life. All who knew and loved her are welcome. In Memoriam In Loving Memory Of My Husband Gerald (Gerry) E.

McDonald On Our Wedding Anniversary October 11th Always in my thoughts, forever in my heart. Miss you especially today, thankful for the beautiful memories that keep you ever close. All My Love, Mary 1 Another Quality Job THE WINDOW BROKER i 2010 Benardes, Tessie Endicott: Tessie Benardes, 82, of Endicott, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was predeceased by her parents, Tessie and Peter Carmen; her loving husband, Peter; sisters, Caroline and Mary Bennett. She is survived by her daughter, Mary; son, James and daughter-in-law, Deborah; daughter, Ellen and Jerry Nolan; three grandchildren, Deanna, Stephen and Miranda, all of Endicott; sister, Pauline Loudon of Philadelphia; and several nieces and nephews.

Tessie was born in Endicott. She worked as a draftsman and then many years for Endicott Johnson. She was a gifted Artist from an early age. She enjoyed baking and interior decorating. She will be deeply missed by her family.

Tessie enjoyed her last years living at UHS-Ideal Apartments and her many friends she had made there. The family would like to thank UHS-Senior Living at Ideal, Violet Court Staff, for their compassionate care they provided during the short time she was there. A prayer service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 13, 2010, at the Coleman Daniels Funeral Home, 300 E. Main Endicott.

Burial will be in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endicott. The family will receive close family friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 1 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. In Memoriam no: In Loving Memory Of Our Daughter-In-Law Jennifer (Jenny) Fiacco 5574-101109 On Angels wings God took you high above the earth above the sky and in our hearts eternally is all our love and memories.

Forever Mom and Dad Fiacco tell severe aches and pains in the joints and muscles and around the eyes general weakness ill appearance with warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes headache dry cough sore throat and watery discharge from your nose $4 Generics FREE Delivery Custom Packaging 111 I II much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family. And I don't want them to be brainwashed intd thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option. It isn't," he said. Newsday reported that Pal-adino's prepared text had the following sentence, but he did not include it in his speech: "There is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual" Michael Caputo, Paladino's campaign manager, said the sentence was in a statement that the Orthodox Jewish community helped the campaign prepare, but Paladino did not include it in his remarks because he does not agree with it Paladino's comments came after some recent high-profile attacks against people who are gay, including two teenage boys and a man in the Bronx and a separate incident involving a patron at the nesses to the economically distressed Buffalo area, aided through the tax breaks. The 22-year-old Empire Zone program designates geographic boundaries where a business can receive credits for property, capital and payroll taxes based on job creation.

More than 9,000 companies participate in the Empire Zone program, which provides $600 million a year in tax credits. The program, criticized for its expense and lax oversight, was scrapped in June by the state Legislature and replaced with the Excelsior program, which targets job growth in specific industries and provides fewer tax credits. Critics of the Empire Zone program say Paladino's lack of jobcreationis not an indictment ofhim, but a sign ofhow ineffective the program was. "I think what it helps to do isshowwhafswrongwithhow the program was structured," said Frank Mauro, executive directoroftheFiscal Policy Institute, a liberal think tank. "I think the problem is a lot of what happened in his case was legal, but the law was written in a way that we didn't get our moneys worth." Elizabeth Lynam, deputy research director for the Citizens Budget Commission, agreed.

"It's an example of why the program was allowed to expire," she said. Paladino's dealings with the state don't end with tax breaks. He has a reported stake in more than 20 firms with businesses that include leasing commercial real estate to government agencies, property development, parking lot management and die operation of several convenience stores. Paladino's firms are landlord to 13 state agencies and several Erie County offices, according to his financial disclosure statements, with contracts whose long-term worth totals more than $50 millioa The most recent, a contract with the state Workers Compensation Board worth $2.8 million over 10 years, took effect Oct according to the state Comptroller's Office. Paladino, whose net worth is estimated to be $150 million, has pledged to use at least $10 million of his own money to take on the well-funded Democratic candidate and frontrunner Andrew "Simply the Best ViTrTTTrT? 2009 Reader's Choice Awards TIlJ ii Cuomo.

Recendy, Paladino has solicited fundraising help on his website, which includes calling on supporters to contribute to a "money bomb." Campaign Chairwoman Nancy Naples appeared at the end of a three-minute campaign commercial aired Thursday to appeal for money. Paladino himself has been generous over the last decade with his own political contributions. He's donated $463,123 to politicians and candidates between 1999 and 2009, an analysis by the New York Public Interest Group revealed. Much of the money nearly $245,000 has gone to Republican candidates. One of the biggest beneficiaries of Paladino's contributions is Erie County Executive Chris Collins, a Republican, whohas received $20,400 from Paladino over the years.

But he also has donated $190,733 to Democrats, including $10,000 to Gov. David Pa-terson. The money includes direct contributions from Paladino and money donated through his various enterprises. With his platform of scal-ing-down government, reducing taxes and ending a culture of corruption in Albany, the state Democratic Party has seized on Paladino's financial dealings and turned one ofhis perceived strengths as a candidate his status as an Albany outsider and portrayed him as a consummate insider. A television commercial produced by the party paints Paladino as part of the "Albany swamp." A television commercial for Cuomo says Paladino has "reaped millions in questionable tax breaks and other sweetheart deals." Caputo, the campaign manager for Paladino, said no favors were ever traded in ex- change for political contributions.

Paladino also plans to put his assets in ablind trust if elected governor. "It's interesting how Carl's leases are political fodder, but are OK by the general services office and the attorney general's office," Caputo said. "They don't know how to run a business to save their lives, and they've never run a business in their entire lives." Any Size White Vinyl Double-Hung WINDOW INSTALLED for Less READER'S CHOICE AWARDS Our experts can provide the advice and medications you and your family need to win the fall flu fight. Fall Flu Symptoms The best way to prevent the Flu is to catch it early. Be on the look out for these symptoms: fever (usually high) Mb DOW! fj Cmtum Vinyl WWflwt, Poors, Nortel! 4 faiio SjwIojuto.

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