The insurance industry has been a loud voice against DWI, so when one of its own is accused or suspected of a DWI incident, it’s doubly hurtful to the rest of us. Recently, two noted research doctors lost their lives on the north shore of Long Island in what police believe to be a DWI related incident. The driver accused of DWI and of involuntary manslaughter happens to have been a prominent member of the insurance community in the state. If what has been alleged proves to be true, we will join many individuals who have communicated their shock and shame over the actions of this individual. We will not expose his name here until and if the he is arraigned. In this instance, if it proves to be true, we will report the details of the case and the protagonists.

We pray that the accused will be proven innocent of wrongdoing. We sustain our continued faith in our colleagues’ sincerity, despite the fact that this man was a rather public advocate of prudence. Reader reaction to our most recent issue dedicated largely to Eric Dinallo’s-tenure was most favorable particularly Peter Molinaro’s excellent synopsis of the latest Superintendent’s accomplishments. One question that kept arising to us in the form of personal e-mails (i.e. not for publication), were inquiries as to our speculation on his successor. Two names continue to surface, but all of the attendant political and logistical problems go right with them i.e. the upcoming elections and the potential for a long-term tenure for anyone accepting the job; not the least of the other problems is the continuing deadlock in Albany and the unlikelihood of anything serious being accomplished early enough to have a tenure before the late fall. Using analogies from the past, when Sal Curiale was appointed in January he was not confirmed until July, Wendy Cooper was named Acting Superintendent, Kermit Brooks new role. We would like to see the Governor name the Superintendent soon and see one confirmed quickly lest the department lose any ground. Do keep the e-mails coming. By the way, one individual who wrote to us was unhappy with the fact that we gave the Superintendent such “play”. This agent was in the minority… If Cecilia Norat is not the brightest woman in the insurance business, particularly for her political acumen and understanding of government and elected officials, I do not know who is. Her tenure at the head of the New York Insurance Association as we mentioned recently here is marked by successes on a number of fronts. In our next issue we pose ten critical questions to Cecilia…. Readers have expressed pleasure with this format which we instituted with Jim Wrynn two issues ago. We will continue to use it…There has been much reader interest in our following of the newly discovered “Stealth Rebates” on the life side and of the writing of Mark Ross, who is, to say the least, quite a controversial crusader and character. Mark was at one time the number one producer in the country for Equitable and has developed quite a few interesting products over his professional career. We encourage your response to Mark’s thinking which goes pretty far outside the proverbial box…In this issue Steve Ruchman makes reference to Charles Darwin and the survival of those who adapt. It’s a message well argued and thoughtful. We caught up with Steve at the recent PIANJ NY convention and had one of our laser quick c o n v e r s a t i o n s , reminding me just how sharp he stays in the business. He and Jamie Deapo whose columns rotate, are both on the scene all the time and have their stethoscopes set to the heart of the agency business, as active protagonists; Jamie, as a former volunteer now IIABNY staff voice, and Steve Ruchman as a volunteer leader of PIANY... Al Moss’s daughter Marilyn Michaels enjoys a continuing presence on the Hollywood screen. Her career, which was first reported in the Insurance Advocate some years ago, parenthetical to Al Moss’s continued progress in the business as head of First Capital, has now become a story all unto itself. Look up Marilyn Michaels for a complete resume of her recent work, notably July 12th and Oct 19th on NBC…. Closer to home, Al and Bob Lynch have begun to cook up some new programs for agents to be announced shortly in the Insurance Advocate and elsewhere.…

Adam Friedlander was over for breakfast recently. Adam and his dad have been long time supporters of agents and brokers in New York State in workers’ comp. His thoughtful letters to the editor during the crisis involving self-insured trusts were influential and we look to him continually as a good source of thinking in this vital insurance area…Speaking of thinking, it’s the time of year when we can do a little bit more of it as summer literally and figuratively heats up and all manner of instruments of pleasure come out of the sports closets and into their proper places.

We plan to spend the summer developing our website a bit further and preparing our August and early September issues while applying sun block and chasing tennis balls. The Insurance Advocate team will be on and off on vacations so please be patient if you call the office. Someone will surely get back to you . E-mail us at the usual addresses for best results. Enjoy yourselves and think brightly.