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LIRR 3rd Rail Comes to an Ambiguous Delay/Demise
The group urged the state to fund public transportation projects that would benefit Long Island residents and transit riders, especially the Third Track project, which would add an additional track from New Hyde Park to Hicksville along the LIRR Main Line. A week ago, LIRR President Helena Williams suggested that the project may be delayed due to MTA budget constraints. According to a press release from the Transit Coalition, the MTA lacks approximately $17.5 billion of the proposed $30 billion capital plan, which pays for expansion and maintenance projects.
For the full Newsday article, visit their website. Vision Op-Ed Published in Newsday
Alexander writes, “While in the past, many citizens followed the anti-everything mantra of a popular rock band - "I like you better when you go away" - visioning processes have been conducted to plan the future of local communities and have brought out supporters for all forms of projects and initiatives.”
Thank you to everyone who offered these enthusiastic and encouraging remarks. To read the complete article, visit Newsday's website. Rising Demand and Profits for Rental, Multi-Family Housing
Getting Our Bikes Back on the Roads
In response to this shift, the Nassau County Planning Commission plans to add more bike lanes in the future, roughly 60 to 70 miles on existing roads. Patricia Bourne, Executive Commissioner of the Nassau County Planning Commission, stated that this expansion of bike roads would be circulated over the Internet. Traffic calming and streetscape improvements would certainly improve walkability and accessibility to transit options. As Al Gore calls on the United States to reduce its dependence on foreign petroleum- and coal-based energy, adding bicycle lanes to Long Island’s roads is a step in the right direction. Ending all carbon-emitting forms of electricity production in the United States within 10 years can encourage the growth of green technologies in alternative energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal power. The simple decision to bike rather than drive also contributes to energy conservation, simultaneously reducing one’s carbon footprint and pant size. The full article is available here, and LIBN's response can be found on their BizBlog here. Top Projects
Email your nominations to andrea.jones@libn.com by August 8th. |
An interesting, forgive the pun, train of events has occurred this past week around the prospective 3rd rail LIRR project. On Wednesday, July 17, a press conference was held at the MTA Headquarters by the newly expanded Long Island Transit Coalition, which is composed of transportation, business, labor, environmental, planning, health and civic groups. Vision Long Island joined the group in 2004, when it initially formed to advocate for the 3rd track project. 
Following the press conference on Wednesday, the LI Committee approved the $100,000 study of potential capacity improvements to the Main Line. However, the nebulous approval may only allocate $100K to help identify near-term improvements and may not be enough to substitute for the eventual completion of the third track. Ms. Williams pointed out in the meeting that the $1.5 billion project only has $200 million in the current capital plan and seems unlikely to be funded in the next one, which will run from 2010-2014. Naturally, this raises questions about when the third track project will be complete. Yet, according to Newsday, MTA Board Member Mitch Pally said that, “a third track will be constructed on schedule "come hell or high water" along the LIRR's Main Line." But with global warming causing rising water levels, we may just see that “high water” come before this. 
On July 14th, Newsday published an Op-Ed from Vision’s Executive Director, Eric Alexander, “Envisioning, Executing Regional Plans for Long Island.” The article highlighted an era of collaboration that has risen from the awareness of residents, political leaders, and developers and the hazards of sprawl. 
Issues that were once ignored or ridiculed, like the lack of affordable housing, the high cost of living, loss of open space, continued sprawling development, the dearth of sewer and transit infrastructure, and quality-of-life issues are all now part of the discussion. The article has received great feedback, echoing the community engagement that it praises, and answers to the call for more participation in these Smart Growth regional initiatives. 
The next targets are echo-boomers. The year 1989 set the record with 4 million births, the first time since 1964. These 19 year olds will raise the demand for rental apartments in the coming years. They value the flexibility of renting and social urban lifestyles. McComb states that “multi-housing properties with convenient locations in growing markets should demonstrate the type of cash flow gains that make for profitable commercial real estate investing.” However, while this demand for rental apartments is increasing and the potential is obvious, the supply is dwindling due to financing problems from reluctant lenders and conservative equity sources. Yet even with the unstable economy, McComb notes that these properties possess the fundamentals to drive long-term revenue growth for the daring developer.
According to Vittorio Hernandez’s article from All Headline News, the bike industry is reaping the benefits of skyrocketing gasoline prices. Revenues are rising around the country from the sale of new bikes to repairs of older models and the sale of accessories. Julie Aupperlee, owner of the Long Island Bike Shop, reported a “20 percent rise in overall sales, 30 percent hike in repairs and tune-ups.”
The Long Island Business News is calling for people to submit the “top projects” on Long Island that were completed between January 1, 2007 and July 31, 2008. Please fill out the attached |
Nassau County Presents Plan to End Homelessness
The Nassau County 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness Committee released their 9 goals, with commitments that “this will not be another document sitting on someone’s desk”. Mr. Suozzi called for the unification of governments to address this problem, stating that it cannot be done without partnerships. HUD New York/New Jersey Regional Director Sean Moss spoke about the partnership between HUD and Nassau County, citing that over 300 other counties throughout the country have also developed similar plans and have begun implementing them. “We take for granted when we leave home that we have a key… We can leave all of our belongings there.” That was the focus of words spoken by Moss. He also recalled a story of a homeless man in Nevada who eventually cost the state $1 million in medical bills, jailing costs, and other expenses, noting that cost of homelessness and the urgency of action by this committee. Suozzi closed by saying “The County and the 10-Year Plan are particularly concerned about the chronically homeless who all too often remain hidden, living in dangerous and unhealthy conditions. We are committed to ensuring they get the help and the services they need in the most respectful, effective and cost-efficient manner possible." Long Island Food Not Bombs Delivers More than Loaves of Bread
The group is part of one of the fastest growing national movements. Newsday writer Jennifer Barrios states in her article that “more chapters of Food Not Bombs have sprung up locally.” New volunteer groups can be found distributing food Monday mornings in Mastic Beach and Tuesday evenings in Huntington. In addition, the Hempstead group is preparing a field for a community garden and developing their “Peach Tree Project,” which will give peach tree seedlings to Hempstead residents to grow. To find a Food Not Bombs group near you, visit their website. Starbucks Announces Area Stores that Will Close
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On July 17, 2008, County Executive Tom Suozzi released a 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness in Nassau County. The plan addresses solutions to those living on the streets, in shelters, with family, or in illegal apartments, as well as those who are homeless due to mental health conditions. The 30-member task force consisting of public, not-for-profit, and faith-based service organizations, will be focusing on affordable housing and availability of resources to the homeless. 
According to a report by Nassau County DSS, the top cause of homelessness is underemployment. There are approximately 66,245 households in Nassau County earning less than $35,000 per year who spend 30 percent or more of their income on housing. In the plan, these households are described as “chronically on the verge of homelessness”. According to Michael Amon’s article in Newsday, “Only 17 percent of Nassau's housing stock is rental units, and officials said they knew apartments may be a tough sell with some village and town officials.”
Every Sunday afternoon at Hempstead’s train station, a dedicated group of volunteers hand out food, clothes, seedlings, and vitamins to those in need. Highlighted in Newsday’s “Our Towns” section on July 13, Long Island Food Not Bombs is having a big impact on increasingly hungry populations, especially in Hempstead, where the group is based. Every week, food is donated from the local Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Markets. According to Chris Ivers, marketing team leader at the Whole Food Market in Jericho, “the food is safe and perfectly edible, but not up to the high standards of the store.” Excess food that would otherwise go to waste instead goes to the people who need it most.
In another sign of the economic downturn facing the nation, Starbucks is downsizing. According to an article from the Long Island Business News BizBlog, Starbucks Corp. released 
Jobs With Justice Wal-Mart Protest On July 17th
For more information, contact Vanessa at Long Island Jobs with Justice at 631-793-9067 or see the flyer here. Lighthouse on Parade - Next Meeting on July 21st
Free Brownfields Seminar on July 23rd
To register for this FREE seminar, email gclemente@certilmanbalin.com. Gordon Heights Day Coming August 2nd
Gordon Heights was founded in 1927 and became well known for the great restaurants and hotels, as well as many other resident-owned businesses that aided in making the community self-sufficient. Today, this wonderful community serves as the home of generations of its founding families. The Greater Gordon Heights Civic Association, partnered with the Gordon Heights Visioning Steering Committee, strives to restore the once-booming community with our current vision of greatness. The Gordon Heights Day serves as a fundraiser which aides the Civic Association with events and programs that serve everyone in the community, from youth to seniors. Join the celebration for the Gordon Heights Community’s 81st Anniversary. Gordon Heights Day will be held August 2, 2008 at the Granny Road Park in Medford from 10 am to 10 pm. For more information, contact us at gh1927@hotmail.com or see the flyer here. Back Pack Pirates at Fire Island On August 13th
For more information, along with a permission slip, please see the attachment. NSCH is also seeking volunteers to help with this event, including registration, clean up, etc., and collection of back-to-school supplies. NSCH is holding its annual “S.O.S: Supply Our Students” drive in connection with the Pirates event, and expect to collect enough supplies to provide additional items for children in shelters, foster care, and our member agencies. Start a school supplies collection at your office, house of worship or school! If you are interested in helping out with this event, please Greta Guarton, Associate Director of NSCH at 516-742-7700 x 15 or email gguarton@nsch.org or visit their website. |
Following a successful rally at East Meadow’s Wal-Mart on Wednesday, July 17th, Long Island Jobs With Justice will hold another protest on Wednesday, July 23rd at 11am at the Walmart on 2465 Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow on the corner of Route 106 and Hempstead Turnpike. According to a press release from Jobs with Justice, Walmart is profiting at a time when gas prices are soaring, jobs are being lost, wages are stagnating, and hard working American families are struggling to get by. Instead of celebrating, Wal-Mart should make real changes to support its workers that would make our country, and our economy, stronger with better health care and corporate culture, living wages and adherence to labor laws. The rally is sponsored by WakeUpWalmart.com, UFCW, and Jobs with Justice.
On Wednesday, July 23rd, a free seminar entitled “Brownfields in New York State: Statutory Changes and DEC Developments” will be held in the Lower Level of 58 South Service Road (between exits 48 and 49 on the Long Island Expressway) in Melville, from 8:30am-11:00am. Speakers at the seminar include NYS Senator Carl Marcellino, sponsor of New York’s Brownfield Law, Dale Desnoyers, Director of Environmental Remediation for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Barry Cohen and James Rigano, Partners at Certilman Balin Adlter & Hyman, LLP.
The time of year has come again for the Annual Gordon Heights’ Day Celebration hosted by the Greater Gordon Heights Civic Association (GGHCA) to celebrate the community's anniversary. This year’s theme is “A Community’s Voice,” in light of the upcoming election.
On August 13th, the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless will have their 2nd Annual “Back Pack Pirates” event on Fire Island. In collaboration with Every Child’s Dream, it is a fun-filled day for children ages 8 – 15, complete with breakfast, lunch, a free t-shirt, pirate eye patch, bandana, and a range of activities from a ferry ride to Fire Island to a treasure hunt, music, and a theatrical performance. The event is limited to 500 children so please register before the deadline of August 1. 
Impress-U combines a strong local presence with a worldwide selection of promotional products and the strength of the Press-a-Print International Network of over 4,000 independent operators to provide the best in customized marketing solutions. They take a hands-on approach with customers to show them how to best use custom-imprinted products to effectively promote your company, team or club. |
Sierra Club Save the Great South Bay Meeting
The South Shore Nature Center is located off of Carleton Ave. on Bay View Ave. in an old mansion in East Islip. Old Bethpage Village Restoration 1862 Civil War Battle Re-Enactment
In addition to the planned skirmishes, volunteers for both armies will demonstrate military drills, musket firing, and other camp duties. Additional activities include fiddle music from noon to 4 p.m. each day. The event is co-hosted by a number of historical organizations dedicated to the preservation of Civil War history, including: Company H; 119th New York Volunteer Historical Association; the Fourteenth Brooklyn Regiment, N.Y.S.M., Co. E; the 9th Virginia Infantry Association; the 57th Virginia Infantry Association; and the 30th Virginia Infantry. Entrance fees are $7 for children 5 - 12 (under 5 are free), seniors, and volunteer firefighters and $10 for adults. The Restoration is located on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage. For more information, call 516-572-8400. |
Join the Sierra Club for a Community Meeting on Sunday, July 20th from 11am to 1pm at the South Shore Nature Center in East Islip. The meeting will feature Chris Clapp, of The Nature Conservancy, discussing seeding the clam beds of the Great South Bay which, once plentiful, are now disappearing. The Nature Conservancy hopes to revive the dwindling population of clams. 
"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me." - Batman |
SMART GROWTH NEWS Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Communications Director We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration.
For more information about Vision Long Island, visit http://www.visionlongisland.org or contact us at: |
