New York City, New York-
In an historic gathering of statewide professional tobacconists, a group of over two dozen retail tobacconists gathered at the Grand Havana Room in New York City to launch the New York Tobacconist Association (NYTA).

With the onslaught of anti-tobacco ordinances and legislation, the coalition of traditional competitors are coming together to combat further intrusion into their businesses, to oppose measures that can impact the product choices of their patrons, to address the cost of both doing business in New York, and the cost of goods to their customers.

As noted by Ron Melendi, General Manager of De La Concha tobacconists of New York City, “It is time for our voices to be heard. For too long, we have let our representatives pass laws that adversely affect our businesses, and the ability of our customers to enjoy a perfectly legal array of products. It’s time to say enough is enough.” Melendi was named the founding chairman of the NYTA.

At the heart of it all is Gotham Government Relations, the firm hired by NYTA to lobby these local and state issues.

“Our goal is to educate our legislators on these issues and to advocate that they are currently eroding the rights of New York State residents,” said Brad Gerstman, partner at Gotham Government Relations. “Our clients are small business owners who make a tremendous contribution to New York culture and the economy; and thus, in turn, pay significant taxes to the state and local governments”. “We must stop the policies of hurting our local businesses, who serve adult customers and have made a choice to smoke in cigar bars and smoke shops”; said David Schwartz, partner at Gotham. “Certain members of the legislature want to control every choice that New Yorkers make and its time our Government stop intruding on personal freedoms”, said Schwartz.

The New York effort is also being assisted by Cigar Rights of America (CRA) as a national consumer-based organization for cigar enthusiasts. CRA Executive Director Glynn Loope was present at the organizational meeting, stating “Each of these shops represent thousands of customers. Now, they are voters for the cause. We will educate them about how their representatives vote, about the legislation they introduce, and work to halt this Prohibition Era style of policies flowing from New York City to Albany.”

With the recently adopted flavored tobacco ban central to the group’s concern, there will be a comprehensive agenda of issues to be addressed. In addition to the flavored tobacco issue, the group will address fees and taxation, regulatory matters, and any further indoor or outdoor smoking restrictions.

The New York Tobacconist Association elected a charter board of directors, adopted by-laws, and initiated an “open door” policy that any premium licensed tobacconist in New York can join the group. A plan is currently underway for statewide recruitment for consumer members joining Cigar Rights of America, and retail tobacconists joining the NYTA.

About Cigar Rights of America

Cigar Rights of America (CRA) was founded on the principle of fighting for the freedom to enjoy premium cigars. A consumer-based, non-profit public advocacy organization that works with local, state and federal governments to protect the freedoms of cigar enthusiasts, CRA works with its constituency of members including manufacturers, retailers and cigar enthusiasts to focus on opposing restrictive smoking bans and increased taxation of cigars. www.CigarRights.org

About Gotham Government Relations

New York’s fastest-growing government relations firm, Gotham Government Relations, provides lobbying, advocacy and consulting to its clients. Gotham offers its clients forward-thinking strategies that tap into political trends and opportunities. The work of its partners has resulted in shaping public policy on a number of key matters, including business advocacy and strategy; land use; special education; and charitable causes. For more information, log onto www.gothamgr.com or call us at 516-880-8170.

Brad Gerstman talks about his connection to Hofstra Football and what he plans to do to keep Hofstra in the game. Watch the video here…

You can learn more and get involved at SaveHofstraFootball.Org

How can any sports athlete at Hofstra University feel safe considering the decision by the University to terminate their successful football program in order to provide more educational scholarships? A football program at most universities has its ups and downs, unfortunately losing money at times, and this applies to all athletic programs at a university. However, Hofstra took a drastic approach by terminating its football program where other universities would have found a way to restructure and renew the program, especially a football program where scholarships are involved. If the administration continues with the same logic that the money is better spent for nonathletic scholarships, what Hofstra athlete now or in the future can feel secure in its decision to play for the University?

It is clear that Hofstra president Stuart Rabinowitz doesn’t see the benefits of athletics in terms of its tremendous intrinsic value to a university. All Ivy League Universities and other top schools in the country understand the value of athletic programs to their schools. In fact, from 1937 until recently Hofstra use to understand this value as well. That being the case, how can a wrestling or field hockey recruit from high school roll the dice on Hofstra after it has cut it’s strongest and most highly publicized program without any notice?

A high school recruit need only look at how these football players were treated when the news of the termination was disseminated. The school never even notified the parents of the student athletes. They never provided social guidance or advisory services for the students affected after the news was released. The bad news was provided in a cold statement by the athletic director and then he simply walked out of the room to let the kids fend for themselves.

If I was an 18 year old outstanding baseball player considering coming to Hofstra University to play, I would immediately scratch the school off my list. Why take the risk?

Brad Gerstman is a partner at Gotham Government Relations.

More:

Radio: Brad Talks to WFAN Radio about what Hofstra football means to the school, Long Island and student athletics nationwide.

Video: Hofstra Alumni speak out on the end of football

What do you think? Take our poll…

Gotham partner Brad Gerstman talks to WFAN’s Bob Salter about the untimely cancellation of Hofstra football and what this tradition means to the school, student athletics and Long Island. Listen here….

You can learn more and get involved at SaveHofstraFootball.Org

Gotham Partner and Hofstra alumnus Brad Gerstman gathered with former team mates last night to sound off on the cancellation of Hofstra’s football program. See the video from ABC’s Eyewitness News…

You can learn more and get involved at SaveHofstraFootball.Org

Brad Gerstman, High-Powered Lobbyist, Outraged over Hofstra University’s Decision to Dismantle its Football Program. Hofstra Alumni and Gotham Government Relations Partner Seeks Clarification and Reconsideration

Roslyn, NY; December 4, 2009

Hofstra Alumnus and Gotham Government Relations Partner, Brad Gerstman, is speaking out today on the discontinuation of Hofstra University’s Football Program. Gerstman was a member of Hofstra’s Football team from 1986-1989, during which time the team reached the playoffs all four years. Brad is currently one of the founding partners of New York’s fastest-growing government relations firm. He was disappointed to hear the news of Hofstra’s decision to terminate the football program.

“I am deeply upset about this decision,“ Gerstman says. “As an alumnus, former football player and a member of this community, I will personally seek clarification and details on why this occurred. I hope that the University will reconsider this irresponsible decision that ultimately will impact the region in a very profound way, from Long Island high school football players to current Hofstra football players and fans, and many others.”

Hofstra’s President was quoted as saying the cost of the University’s Football Program far exceeds any possible return. Gerstman, however, would like the school to reconsider and take into account how damaging the loss of a football program will be to the reputation of the institution, especially considering that a number of Hofstra alumni have gone on to become professional football players and coaches. Without a football team, Hofstra would join the dubious rank of being one of the nation’s first elite universities without a football team.

“The University is part of the fabric of Long Island and I believe this is damaging to Long Island and the reputation of the school,” Gerstman says. “More importantly, Hofstra isn’t simply a small private business operating in a vacuum. They receive grants from our government and decisions made by the administration can and do impact the region. As such, it’s curious to me that as caretakers of an institution which has had football since it’s inception in the 1930’s, they can make such a radical change in a secretive way, without any notice to anyone, input from outside stakeholders, or public debate.”

Gerstman will seek immediate clarification and reconsideration from University officials on this decision. Gerstman is asking that elected officials, former Hofstra football players and other members of the community step up to seek further explanation.

Gotham Government Relations offers its clients forward-thinking strategies that tap into political trends and opportunities. The work of its partners has resulted in shaping public policy on a number of key matters, including business advocacy and strategy; land use; special education; and charitable causes. For more information, log onto www.gothamgr.com or call us at 516-880-8170.

Our US Attorney General Eric Holder recently announced that terrorist prisoners being held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will be tried in the Southern District of New York. The trials will be around the corner from Ground Zero, which is very symbolic in many ways.

That being said, I have two questions to ask. The first is why hold the trial in NYC? My second question, is why are these Guantanamo Bay detainees being tried in Federal District Court instead of Military Tribunals?

Taking a step back for a moment and looking at the general state of New York, one would come to the conclusion that holding these trials in NYC may not be the best idea. We have a floundering economy, New York City and the Federal Government have budget problems and NYC is the biggest American target for future terrorist attacks. Despite these facts, the Obama administration thinks that New York is the best forum for these trials. However, one must wonder whether the Obama administration thought about the cost to New York for the additional security that will be required to have the trials here? Not only will there be security issues but think about the traffic and disruption this will cause in the lives of NYC citizens who are simply trying to live their day to day lives and take care of their families. New Yorkers who live and work near where terrorists will be held and tried face additional risks of an attack. Think about the fear each of us New Yorkers felt going over our bridges, riding our subways and trains after September 11th. Does the Obama administration appreciate the fact that those fears will resurface as a result of holding these trials in New York?

If the abovementioned doesn’t make logical sense as to why we shouldn’t have the trials in New York, let’s look at it from a legal standpoint. These Guantanamo Bay detainees, these terrorist, are true enemy combatants and therefore are subject to military tribunal trials. Those who commit war crimes are arrested in environments that are very different from everyday domestic crimes. Since this is the case, rules of evidence in these military tribunals aren’t the same as in our Federal District Courts. Moreover, the rules of discovery in the Federal Courts will likely cause many dilemmas in terms of military secrets and classified information, which again puts American lives at risk. Which begs the question, why place a square peg in a round hole? This situation doesn’t make sense from a legal standpoint and I don’t understand how it makes sense to the Obama administration from any standpoint.

Those who would argue that holding the trials in New York is appropriate because all Americans are tried in the same manner, with a judge and jury, wouldn’t be completely wrong. However, even though this may appear to be the most honest and fair-minded approach, these are crimes that were committed during war. We are offering far too many protection to terrorists that are trying to kill us and our very way of life that offers such protections. To make matters worse, we are doing it in our backyard. The questions is, why us?

Brad Gerstman is a leading Long Island attorney, lobbyist and company president. His diverse background and extensive experience in law, business, government, education, and the not-for-profit community puts him in a unique position to represent and advocate for a broad range of clients and causes.

A member of the New York State Bar since 1994, Brad has a successful track record as a defense lawyer, prosecutor and general corporate counsel. His distinguished career as an attorney began by serving the people of New York as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx. In this role, Brad investigated cases involving corporate fraud and corruption, as well as violent crime and narcotics. From the DA’s office, he went on to run a law firm that focused on criminal defense and general litigation, where he handled numerous high-profile cases that included protecting children from lead-based paint and advocating for the rights of senior citizens. Currently, Brad is a partner in Gerstman Schwartz, LLP and Gotham Government Relations, based in Garden City. In addition, Brad is a member of the Education Law Association and the Nassau County Bar Association’s Education Law Committee.

As everyone is aware, the people of New York are facing a year end deficit of over 3 billion and a double digit BILLION dollar structural deficit in the next budget year.

Of course our economy is the major source of pain. Tax revenues have been thin and nobody expects a significant turnaround for quite a while.

There is no question that State spending has to be curtailed extensively. Our government spending cannot be sustained which is why the Legislature and Governor have proposed a number of ideas, good and not so good, of areas to make cuts. A number of these areas include very emotional and lightning rod issues, such as education, health care, police, individuals with disabilities and the like.

The people of New York State must brace themselves to face such drastic measures. However, there is a way to avoid the drastic cuts that the Governor and Legislature are discussing. There is a way to increase New York State’s revenue substantially which will reduce the needed cuts that will impact us all.

The State is losing nearly 2 billion dollars a year in tax revenue due to ILLEGAL sales of untaxed cigarettes from the Native American reservations to the general public. These ILLEGAL sales have been putting stores that sell legally and fully taxed cigarettes out of business. These ILLEGAL sales occur via the internet and bootleggers in the black market.

Why are we not pulling together to compel our Governor to enforce the law? It is well settled law that these sales from the Reservations are in fact ILLEGAL. Why do we permit ILLEGAL activities by one group and enforce laws against everyone else? I will tell you the reason is because the Native Americans have openly declared war on NY State if we enforce the law against their ILLEGAL activity. Do we back off drug dealers because they are dangerous? Why would we back off Native Americans that threaten us and force our elected officials to make cuts to many necessary services in our State, some of which the Native Americans benefit from as well.

Let’s collect the nearly 2 billion dollars in tax revenue that we desperately need to avoid the draconian cuts that will be coming down the pike.

Brad Gerstman joins Host Bill Keeler on Utica’s WXUR to talk about the billions of tax dollars lost due to untaxed cigarettes sold on Indian reservations.