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Lottery Luck in Putnam County Continues its Hot Streak
Brewster plumber becomes sixth millionaire in eight months
Putnam County today welcomed its sixth Lottery Millionaire in the last eight months - the second of 2008. The newest $1,000,000 winner, 50-yearold Richard Salamone of Brewster, won when he hit the jackpot prize playing Silver Spectacular, one of the Lottery's newest scratch off games. He received his prize check this morning at the Putnam Diner in Patterson, a location hand-picked by Salamone for sentimental reasons.
"This is my home away from home," explained Salamone. "When you work around the clock like I do, you need a place like this, and the Putnam Diner is that place for me."
Salamone splits his time between multiple jobs; working full-time as a maintenance mechanic for the Westchester County Department of Public Works and lending his skills as a licensed plumber to the drain service business he coowns with his brother. In his spare time, Salamone also serves as a Roto-Router plumbing contractor.
The self-described "family guy" said he looks forward to spending some much-needed down time with his family. "I am a workaholic," he said. "Winning the Lottery for me is a relief. Maybe now I can pick and choose the jobs I want to do without all the worry about money and bills."
The father of two said this is one instance where working too much proved to be a good thing for him and his family.
"I was headed to a (plumbing) job in Yonkers that weekend and pulled over to get a coffee for my partner," he said. "While I was there, I decided to get a couple of Lottery tickets for myself. I scratched the $1,000,000 ticket right there in the truck, and then we both just sat there to let it sink in."
Salamone bought his winning Silver Spectacular ticket on Saturday, March 22 at the McLean Variety Store on McLean Avenue in Yonkers. He claimed it the following Monday at the Lottery's Customer Service Center in Fishkill.
Mr. Salamone will receive his $1,000,000 prize in 20 annual installments of $50,000, less required tax withholdings. He will receive $34, 075 after taxes. His plans for the money include paying some bills and window shopping for a new Corvette.
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