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Assoc. of Towns’ Report Refutes Merging Government
Former Lt. Gov. Stan Lundine, chairman of Spitzer’s commission, said that the Association of Towns has misunderstood the report, which he claims “does not advocate mandatory consolidation of any cities, towns, village or fire districts.” While the Association begs to differ, it makes sense that they would react strongly to the claim that there are “too many local governments” and point the finger at other culprits. It is important to have reports like this that may help balance the disconnect we have to date on Long Island. Suffolk Legislature Hears Pitch for Cross-Sound Tunnel
According the article, Mr. Polimeni has done multiple presentations in the region in the hopes that officials will support the project and then encourage Governor Paterson to do so, as well. “I need the Governor on board because the State owns the land we want to go under,” said Polimeni in the article. In addition to the necessary signatures of approval from elected officials and the Governor, a traffic study must be conducted. To overcome that hurdle, Polimeni expects to spend millions for a State Department of Transportation study. On the part of the elected officials, Enriquez’s article states that Legislator Horsley will poll the board next Tuesday to determine whether or not they will write a letter of support. “Anytime you can bring $10 billion into the local economy and reduce traffic and pollution, you have to consider it,” said Legislator Horsley. Mid-Priced Hotels Growing on Long Island
As the economy in other regions of New York and throughout the nation falter, Long Island hotel owners are taking advantage of a niche market of corporate interest and “social markets,” like family and life cycle celebrations. “We cater to a market that is sensitive to pricing,” said Manny Calado, sales and marketing manager at the Fairfield Inn on Route 112 in Medford. In addition to more frugal spending from the average customer, the article also points to sustained demand from the corporate customer. According to Paul Amoruso, owner of the Hilton Garden and the adjacent Homewood Suites soon to open in Plainview, this is due to the thriving economic growth along the Route 110 corridor. However, developers must be sure to supply where there is demand and not spread out further. In the article, Moke McGowan, president of the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau warned that we may be “at or near capacity for customer demand,” and that overall losses in the industry may cancel out the gains of this niche market. |
A new study by the State Association of Towns asserted that “cutting down the number of governments drives taxes up, not down.” The study is a counter charge to former Governor Spitzer’s Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness and its ambitions to merge some of the State’s taxing jurisdictions. According to 
Developer Vincent Polimeni continues to build support for his bold proposal for a 16-mile tunnel across the Long Island Sound. His latest meeting was held before the Suffolk County Legislative Committee on Wednesday, August 13. According to Susana Enriquez’s article in Newsday, elected officials throughout the region had varied responses to the presentation. Suffolk County Legislator Wayne Horsley (D-Lindenhurst) stated that the project “got the committee’s attention,” while Legislator Lou D’Amaro (D-North Babylon) “questioned whether the State should have some oversight of the charges.” Patrick Halpin, a former Suffolk County Executive, is working as a consultant for the developers and said that “the need for it today is absolutely essential.” 
Contrary to the dire economic data purported by the media, there is one section of the Long Island economy that has seen vigorous growth in the last year. According to Danny Teigman’s article in Newsday on August 3, data from the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association showed that Long Island’s year-to-date hotel occupancy rate ending in June was 67.9 percent, which is up 0.2 percent from last year. In addition, a multitude of mid-priced and medium-sized hotels have opened in the last eight months and two more are expected in the next month. Hotels have opened in Lynbrook, Farmingdale and Riverhead; two more are slated in Plainview and Medford. |
Mount Sinai Downtown Plans Change for the Better
In addition to the recent changes, the current plan includes 130,000 square feet for two or three anchor stores, such as Pottery Barn, Old Navy, or Target, though they have yet to be selected. Another 135,000 square feet would go towards retail space for smaller tenants; 10,000 square feet of that would be for restaurants. The article states that Paul Elliot, the developer, anticipates that he will present the revised plan to community members at a civic meeting in the fall. Mr. Elliot has adhered to a transparent public process, completing the necessary studies and participating in multiple community charrettes and meetings facilitated by Vision Long Island. The numerous revisions are a result of this collaboration, one in which the developer responds to community needs and concerns. Hopefully, the fifth one will be the charm and Mr. Elliot will soon be able to break ground on the project. Banking on a Boycott
The conflict began three years ago, when the owner of a 1.5 wooded acre parcel on Portion Road sold it to Commerce Bank, despite community and Town of Brookhaven plans to preserve the bucolic area for a 9/11 memorial. Community members pleaded with the bank to relocate from the site, but the Town Planning Board approved the construction plans in March, and soon after the bulldozers broke ground. Bank spokeswoman Rebecca Acevedo maintains that the bank worked “closely with the township and the community” in the planning process and will continue to do so in supporting a new plan for the memorial. Freedner and others in the community are duly skeptical of this claim, especially after the bank rejected any alternate bank sites and the Town Planning Board approved the plan, despite community opposition. “It’s a very sore issue in the neighborhood. The government and these corporation combined can really hurt a community.” According to the recent issue of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization's Forth Wave Newsletter, the boycott calls for interested persons to call Commerce Bank at 1-888-751-9000 to let them know that you are boycotting them because they ignore the communities' wishes. More information can be found on the Civic Association's website. Planned Ocean Parkway Bike Path
"We’re not opposed to the bike path,” said Richard Moore, of West Gilgo Beach, in the article. “We just want to get it done right and responsibly.” For some, this would include conducting a full environmental impact study of the possible damage to residents and the environment. Presently, the DOT has only completed an environmental assessment which is a less thorough report than an EIS. Before undertaking a more comprehensive analysis, Smith states that the DOT will weigh the public comments and those from State agencies like the Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. |
After endless revisions, a new plan for the 30-acre mixed-use development off Route 25A in Mount Sinai has found broad approval. The latest plan takes the formerly clustered 98 residential units and scatters them above the commercial properties and throughout the 375,000 square foot development. This improves safety, by bringing more 24-hour activity and visibility, and it creates a truly varied tapestry of uses. According to Anna Gustafson’s article in the North Shore Sun from August 8th, the move is supported by Civic Association President Deirdre Dubato and Civic Board members and addresses many of the concerns voiced by local residents.
While Lake Ronkonkoma residents resign themselves to the fact that Commerce Bank will open its branch next year at their proposed 9/11 memorial site, they have also chosen not to end the resistance. According to 
On Tuesday, August 12th, the New York State Department of Transportation held a hearing on the proposed 14.4-mile public path for Ocean Parkway. According to 
Weed and Seed Applications Due
WSC applicants must provide all the information requested in the formats indicated or provided, and meet all requirements as set forth herein to be competitively considered. Applications for the Weed and Seed Program will be accepted until September 9, 2008 but draft application materials must be sent to the applicant’s local U.S. Attorney by Tuesday, August 19, 2008. The application must be completed online at www.grants.gov, where you can download a copy of the application package, complete it offline and upload to submit. To register and get started on the grant, visit www.grants.gov/GetStarted. For more information on this program, please call the CCDO at 202-616-1152 and for technical support to submit the application call 1-800-518-4726. Help Find the Carbon Footprint Average for Long Island!
Calculate your carbon footprint on the Nature Conservancy's website. Please take the individual test, not the household one, and send the results to: Charlotte Coté, Producer at WLIW21 New York Public Television via telephone at (516) 367-2100 x8485, FAX (516) 692-7629, or email at cotec@wliw.org. These results will be in the strictest of confidence. In addition, please send this along to friends and family who live on Long Island to get more results. Again the individual results will be only viewed by Ms. Coté and not Vision, so please do not send them to us! |
United States Senator Charles E Schumer recently released a letter to community leaders to participate in the 2009 Weed and Seed Communities Competitive Program. Created by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs and Community Capacity Development Office (CCDO), the program provides funding to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime in communities. The comprehensive, multi-agency approach is composed of law enforcement, community policing, prevention and intervention, and neighborhood restoration. A Weed and Seed Community (WSC) must be developed in partnership with a variety of key local organizations and the local United States Attorney’s Office (USAO). WSCs must work to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for residents in a community primarily through the redeployment of existing public and private resources, addressing both crime and social related problems that without proper intervention often lead to violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity. 
WLIW 21 is producing an hour-long special in September entitled, "Going Green Long Island." In order to acquire an average individual carbon foot print for Long Island, they need as many individuals as they can to compare it to the national average.
Combat Soaring Energy Prices at an Energy-Efficiency Fair August 20th
In addition to receiving important tips, everyone who attends can participate in a free light bulb exchange program and save over $100. Just bring two old 60-watt bulbs to exchange for two energy-efficient CFL bulbs.
For more information, please contact Congressman Bishop's office at 696-6500. Long Island Somos el Futoro, "Investing in Long Island's Future" Event to be held August 29th-30th
For general information and registration, please call 212-233-8955. LIPC Leadership Conference Comes to Brentwood September 13th
Change LI! Change NY! Change America! For more information or to register for this great event, please call 516.541.1006 ext.16 or email maurice@lipc.org. Town of Huntington to Release Comprehensive Plan Update; Public Hearing To Take Place September 23rd
As part of their public outreach efforts, the Town will post the plan on their website, put copies of the plan in libraries throughout Huntington and in Huntington Town Hall at 100 Main Street. In addition, the Town Board is planning a public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan on Tuesday, September 23rd at 7pm at the Town Hall. For an excerpt from the draft plan, visit LIBN's BizBlog. However, the best way to see the complete plan is to attend the public hearing and visit your local libraries. If an organization has questions on the draft Plan and would like to discuss it with Town planners prior to the public hearing, they are invited to contact Anthony J. Aloisio, Huntington’s Director of Planning and Environment at 631-351-3196. The article also states that small groups are welcome to arrange appointments to visit planning professionals in Town Hall. Please take advantage of this transparent public process. |
Congressman Tim Bishop, Legislator Brian Beedenbender and the Long Island Power Authority would like to invite you to a free Energy-Efficiency Fair. Before the temperatures drop this winter, learn about improvements you can make to your home which will pay for themselves by permanently lowering your energy bills. The event will be on Wednesday, August 20 from 7-9pm at the Sachem Public Library on 150 Holbrook Road in Holbrook.
Using a CFL bulb can save you $55 over the life of the bulb. So everyone who participates by bringing two old light bulbs can save over $100 and produce 1300 fewer pounds of C02. In addition to the free-light bulb exchange, there will be lots of other energy-efficiency information which can save you money. At this Energy Efficiency Fair, you can: set up a free energy audit to make your home more energy efficient; get information about programs to help offset your bills; receive discounts on new, energy efficient products and services that can permanently lower your energy bills; and find out how you can use less oil this winter and lower your LIPA bill.
From Friday, August 29th to Saturday, August 30th, New York State Assemblyman Philip Ramos, the Long Island Elected Officials Association and the Long Island Hispanic Coalition invite Long Islanders to attend the 2008 Long Island Somos el Futoro, or "Investing in Long Island's Future" conference at the Sheraton Long Island Hotel at 110 Motor Parkway in Hauppague. The Long Island Somos el Futuro conference is an annual legislative gathering focused on addressing the needs and challenges of the growing Hispanic community on Long Island. A principal goal of this conference is to increase the participation of Hispanics in the public policy-making progress and develop local and state legislative initiatives that address issues of concern for Hispanic Long Islanders. It will convene some of the most distinguished civic, community, business, and labor leaders from across New York State to discuss issues pertinent to Hispanic social, economic, and political empowerment.
On Saturday, September 13th, the Long Island Progressive Coalition will hold their 2008 Leadership Conference at the Academy of Saint Joseph at 1725 Brentwood Road in Brentwood. From 9:30-5pm, this free event will bring Long Islanders together to work for collective change while building bridges across racial lines, generations, and within communities. The conference offers hands-on training in practical, successful organizing skills with inspiring workshops and networking opportunities.
According to a Long Island BizBlog article by David Reich-Hale, the Town of Huntington is about to release Comprehensive Plan Update: Horizons 2020. This is a draft version of a document that will guide future development in the Town. This includes Huntington Station, East Northport and Dix Hills. The draft report, completed last fall, focused on seven key planning areas: Environmental Resources and Open Space, Community Character, Community Facilities, Land Use, Economic Development, Transportation, and Housing within the Town.|
Beatles Music and Lasers! What Could Be Better?
The planetarium and museum are located at 180 Little Neck Rd in Centerport, NY. For more information call 631-854-5555 and visit the Vanderbilt Museum website. Long Island Shakespeare Festival
For tickets and more information on this merry play, call 631-451-4163 and visit: lishakes.org and eastendarts.org. |
Tonight and every Friday through August 30th, visitors can revel in “Laser Beatles.” (Rest assured that this has nothing to do with insect torture.) Head to the 
This Saturday, August 16th don your sabers, capes, and tights for the Long Island Shakespeare Festival’s performance of “Twelfth Night.” It is an amusing play of mistaken identities, shipwrecks, and romantic love and it is completely free! The curtains open on Saturday at 5:30pm and Sunday at 4:30pm in downtown Riverhead at the East End Council of the Arts, located at 133 East Main Street. 
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: |
