"The Montauk Highway business district will be targeted now because of the reconstruction project, but the entire area needs to be sewered, and this legislation will give the legislature the tools to educate the community on the costs, size, and location of a sewer district" - Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning

Posillico

Posillico solves complex construction problems, completing all projects safely, on time, on target and on budget. Posillico is dedicated to setting the standard for excellence in the construction industry relative to: infrastructure, quality of life, and making a difference through solid relationships at all levels. We thank them for their ongoing support of Vision Long Island.

Become a supporter of Smart Growth

Vision Long Island prides itself on having a broad range of supporters.  Become one today. A donation as small as $50 buys outreach materials to help a community build support for their vision. $500 sponsors an entire newsletter.  $5,000 makes you a lead sponsor of our Smart Growth Summit, buying 10 tickets and a key branding opportunity for your organization.
 
Your tax-deductible donation goes directly to Vision and lets you help strengthen efforts to put Smart Growth principles into action.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2010 SMART GROWTH AWARDS

Sponsors announced!

Friday, June 18th at 11:30am

Sponsorship packages now available

Reserve your journal ad space today

The 9th annual Smart Growth Awards will honor individuals and organizations taking leadership in advancing Smart Growth projects, policies, regulations and initiatives.

This year's distinguished honorees include:

Regional Leadership: Hon. Tim Bishop US House of Representatives
Creates a mix of uses:		Provide a variety of transportation choices:
Glen Cove Waterfront redevelopment RXR Glen Isle Partners		Rt. 347 NYS DOT
Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, historic & critical environmental areas:		Reinvesting in & Strengthening Communities:
Hon. Kate Browning & Hon. Ed Romaine, Suffolk County Legislature		'Buy Locally' Campaign Huntington Township Business Council
Encourage citizen and stakeholder participation in development decisions:		Create walkable neighborhoods:
Sergio Argueta S.T.R.O.N.G.		Dave Glass NYS DOT Bike-Ped coordinator (posthumously)
Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a sense of place:		Takes advantage of compact building design:
Village of Babylon		The C, Freeport Signature Organization
Housing opportunities & choices for a range of household types, family sizes & incomes		Fostering clean energy & green building development
Summer Wind Square Eastern Property Investor Consultants, LLC, Suffolk County Concern Riverhead Concern for Independent Living		Affordable housing development Roosevelt Development Group, Long Island Housing Partnership

Sponsors announced!

Gold Sponsors

Sponsors

The 9th annual Smart Growth Awards will be held on Friday, June 18th from 11:30am-2pm at the Crest Hollow Country Club.

Registration information is available here.

Long Island Lobby Coalition gets first bill passed!

The LI Lobby Day Coalition went to Albany in February with over 30 organizations seeking to pass a comprehensive legislative agenda addressing five key issues: transportation, economic development, environment and energy, sewer and infrastructure and human services). Since the LI Lobby Day, coalition members have been diligent in reaching out to legs to ensure progress on a number of our legislative items. as we speak, five bills have passed significant committees or are very much alive this session in Albany. We are pleased to have our first bill passed and signed by the Governor this Wednesday.

The Long Island Lobby Day Coalition formed in 2009 in response to political chaos in Albany that put politics first and public service second. The groups in the growing coalition represent over 30 Long Island businesses, environmental groups, civics, human services, Smart Growth planners, labor groups and transportation advocates and includes: AARP, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Empire State Future, Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, Long Island Federation of Labor, Long Island Business Council, Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Long Island Software and Technology Network, Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless, Suffolk Community Council, Tri-State Transportation Campaign and Vision Long Island. Participating organizations have included Coram Civic Association, Dowling College, Fair Media Council, Friends of Edgewood Preserve, Friends of Huntington Station, Glen Cove Business Improvement District, Gordon Heights Civic Association, Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce, Hicksville Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Huntington, Let there be Lighthouse, Long Island Housing Partnership, Mastic Beach Property Owners, Middle Island Civic Association, Neighborhood Network, New York League of Conservation Voters-LI Chapter, Plainview/Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce, Renaissance Downtowns, Rocky Point Civic Association, Save the Forge River, US Green Building Council and Youth of Ethical Societies-LI Chapter.

Read below for information about our first bill, now a law, and actions you can take to advance other pieces of legislation. Read our documentation on Complete Streets and Smart Growth Infrastructure.

This last week ushered in of a new era of safety for our children as lawmakers were finally able to place a ban on pesticides used in areas where our children play the most:  our schools.

Pesticide ban signed into law!

Advocates for safer school grounds won a victory on May 18th when Governor Paterson signed the Safe School Grounds bill into law.  The bill seeks to severely limit children’s exposure to hazardous toxins by banning the use of almost all types of chemical pesticides on school and day care center playgrounds, turf and athletic or playing fields.

"We are elated and thankful to Governor Paterson for signing the Safe School Grounds bill into law. Children are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of pesticides and exposing them to toxic pesticides in their schools and day care facilities is unacceptable when safe, effective alternatives are available. Senator Foley and Assemblyman Englebright are to be congratulated for their leadership in bringing this historic bill to a successful conclusion. This is the most significant pesticide legislation to be enacted in New York State in many years," said Demosthenes Maratos, Program Director for the Long Island Neighborhood Network.

The ban allows use of pesticides in cases of health emergencies or the protection of children from imminent threat of being bitten or stung by venomous pests. 

Older pedestrians more at-risk for fatalities, report finds

Older pedestrians are far more likely to be killed while walking than their younger neighbors, according to a new study by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. This is especially true in downstate New York where fatality rates for older pedestrians are far higher than the rest of the country. Between 2006 and 2008, 290 pedestrians aged 60 years and older were killed on downstate New York roads. Though comprising just over 17 percent of the area’s population, people 60 and over accounted for 42 percent of the total pedestrian fatalities during the three-year period. Those over 75 represent less than 6 percent of the downstate population, but nearly 20 percent of pedestrian deaths. 

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign, along with Vision Long Island and other groups, have been urging State leaders to reduce high fatality rates by passing a statewide Complete Streets bill (bill S-5711A) that ensures roads are designed to accommodate all users, including walkers, cyclists, and people of all ages. Other programs and policies, such as expanded Safe Routes for Seniors programs, can also help reduce fatality rates. 

“Balanced, complete streets will reduce this tragic toll and ensure older residents remain active and independent even if they do not own a car,” said Kate Slevin, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. 

Vision’s own Executive Director, Eric Alexander, spoke to Newsday on this subject, pointing out that if communities want to encourage both seniors and youth to move to their downtowns, safety must be addressed.  “We are going to have to make our roads safer... We should have done it years ago.”  He also addressed the bill in Albany, noting that though there was some resistance on the local level, he remained hopeful that Albany would get the bill passed.

Nationwide, pedestrian collisions are the 5th leading cause of accidental death for people aged 60 and older. And pedestrian fatality rates for older Americans are more than 50 percent higher than for those under 60 years. The disparities in downstate New York are even greater, with pedestrian fatality rates for people 60 years and older 3.7 times the rate for those younger than 60 years. People 75 years and older suffer a fatality rate that is nearly five times that of their younger neighbors.

“Clearly, older tri-state residents are suffering disproportionately,” said William Stoner, AARP New York’s Associate State Director for Livable Communities. “Making our streets safe and livable to accommodate our aging population will require taking a close look at the infrastructure of our communities.”

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign’s analysis found that Manhattan was the most dangerous place in downstate New York for older people to walk, likely a reflection of the higher walking rates there. But clearly the issue is not just an urban one. Nassau County ranked 3rd in the region in per capita terms, while Suffolk County ranked 8th.

The full report, as well as county fact sheets and maps showing the locations of pedestrian fatalities throughout the region can be found at on Tri-State Transportation Campaign's website.

Newsday and Hofstra poll finds optimistic Long Islanders want change in Albany

Newsday, along with Hofstra University, conducted a survey of over 1,500 registered New York State voters, including 300 Long Island residents, to determine the overall approval ratings for New York State's political situation. The poll found that nearly 70% of those surveyed were unhappy and believe that state government needs “major structural reform.” An article published on Thursday by Newsday cites that voters are angry, frustrated and ready to elect new leaders, and that politicians on Long Island are somewhat more likely to be replaced by their constituents’ than the rest of New York State

A major source of frustration for Long Islanders is a $9-billion budget deficit facing the State in the already poor economic climate. The study found that an overwhelming majority do not want to see cuts in education, health care and public transportation, nor do they want to raise income taxes or reduce state employee salaries and benefits. Voters in the 114 school districts out of 124 approved their budgets. 87 percent oppose raising property taxes if New York State cuts education aid to school districts. Further, 72% oppose laying off school staff and 62% oppose cutting education programs and services.

According to the poll, 71% of Long Islanders are critical of Gov. David A. Paterson’s performance, with State Senate and Assembly officials not far behind. When surveyed, 54% of voters believe there is no difference in whether Republicans or Democrats would handle the crisis better.

However, the poll does show that Long Islanders are more civic minded as well as optimistic that the State's problems can be improved with proper leadership. 50% of Long Island voters polled believe that with the right officials elected to office, State government will work just fine, compared to 45% statewide. 48% of Long Island voters said they attended a local meeting on municipal or school issues- that’s 8% more than those polled statewide and twice that of a comparable nationwide poll. 52% of Long Islanders and 62% of New Yorkers approve of President Barack Obama’s performance.

The poll has a +/-3% margin of error overall and a +/-6% for Long Island voters.

Read the Newsday article online here.

Fun-filled Teen Arts Festival and Pasta Dinner last weekend

On Saturday, May 15th, the Youth Group (YES--Youth of Ethical Societies) at the Ethical Humanist Society in Garden City hosted a fun-filled day for teens- the 3rd Annual Teen Arts Festival and 16th Annual Pasta Dinner were inspiring and successful! Vision's Executive Director Eric Alexander MC'ed and Planning Coordinator Tara Klein helped organize the events.

The Teen Arts Festival featured some incredible musicals acts, including Jill Reda Nicole Pfeiffer, Dan Harding and Keith Simonelli, Archecard Elize, Mayra Fournier, Willane and Sidney Saint Hillare, Naomi Williams, Kira and Bre Metcalf-Oshinsky, and a slew of other talented teens. There was also some fantastic teen art, including entries from the Nassau County Chapter of the NYCLU's annual poster contest, craft activities like designing flower pots (which later became the centerpieces for the Pasta Dinner, and then people took home to use), DIY t-shirt design using last year's Teen Arts Festival shirts and an interactive mural with the event's theme "YES We Do Have a Voice." There were raffles, refreshments and a screening of "Story of Stuff," a 20-minute video on our nation's cycle of production and consumption.

After a quick turn-around, it was time for the Pasta Dinner. There was a delicious meal, including meatballs from downtown Northport's Maroni's Cuisine. The keynote speech was given by Tara Bono, Program Coordinator for Citizens Campaign for the Environment. Tara talked about CCE's reusable bag campaign, and after explaining how plastic bags are killing animals, sitting in landfills forever and contributing to the Pacific and Atlantic garbage patches, the audience was left with a mix of guilt and fear over their own use of plastic bags. The teens seemed interested and inspired to make a difference! The evening entertainment included more performances by YES members and friends. Eric even jumped in to help sing; his little baby in tow!

Event supporters included Five Towns College, the Hofstra University National Center for Suburban Studies, Dowling College, Laurel Coston and Vision Long Island.

Legislator Browning fights to restore sewer funding

The creation of a sewer district for the Montauk Highway business district in Mastic and Shirley has long been a goal of Smart Growth and environmental activists on Long Island.  In 2009, it appeared as if this was closer than ever with the securing of $3 million in funding to go along with the completion of a feasibility study to match a slue of maps and plans.

There was a significant roadblock last month when Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy removed the funding designated in the County’s budget to correct this 60-year-old problem.  This comes at a particularly inopportune time, as Suffolk Legislator Browning is currently applying for a $900,000 federal grant that stipulates that the county must match 45% of the funds given.

“I worked hard to lobby our federal officials to focus resources in the Mastic peninsula,” stated Browning. “Federal officials have listened to the pleas of local civic leaders and environmental groups, but the County Executive has put all of this in jeopardy by removing the funding we are required to provide to get the matching federal funds. The capital budget is a planning document, and the removal of this money proves the County Executive has no plans to create a sewer district.”

Local voices have also been very vocal in the need for sewers in the area.  Many people point out that the antiquated system of flush and flow, where every flush flows straight into the Forge River, has led to pollution and unsanitary conditions in what was once a beloved natural resource.  Sewering will allow the river’s restoration to begin, giving future generations a chance to enjoy it once more.

“The Forge River has become the Long Island poster child for environmental, economic, and public health consequences attributed to a lack of sewage infrastructure in a densely populated community,” stated Maureen Dolan Murphy, Executive Programs Manager, Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “County funding is necessary as the first step to reversing the damages of this overloaded, failing river ecosystem.  Creating a sewer district will protect public health, the health of the river, and the restoration of the South Shore Estuary Reserve.  In 2010, the Long Island Lobby Coalition made sewering around the Forge River one of its top funding priorities for all of Long Island.  We hope that Suffolk County moves swiftly to put in place funds necessary to begin this process.”

Local business owners and civic groups have also expressed support for sewers, noting that such a large and in-depth infrastructure project would create thousands of new jobs in the area.

“Vision Long Island has worked with the William Floyd Community Summit to do three things,” stated Tawaun Weber of Vision Long Island. “Redesign the roadway, rezone the area for a main street code and create sewers for the commercial business district on Montauk Highway.  The first two goals have been accomplished.  Thanks to Legislator Browning, sewers will be a reality on Montauk Highway! We are proud to honor her with a Smart Growth award next month for this example of leadership. County Executive Levy tells us he supports sewers, his staff tells us they support sewers in this area. Like most projects on Long Island, we should let the community leaders lead and get the project moving. Also, the 2010 LI Lobby Day Coalition had sewers in this location as the number one infrastructure priority for the region.”

The project has been estimated to cost around $1.7 million in 2011.  If the $900,000 currently being sought by Legislator Browning is secured, the county will need to match approximately $800,000 depending on whether or not state funding can be secured.

US transportation "experts" encourage status-quo development

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) released a report last month titled "Transportation Reboot: Restarting America's Most Essential Operating System; The Case for Capacity: To Unlock Gridlock, Generate Jobs, Deliver Freight, and Connect Communities."

AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley writes in his opening remarks: 

Expanding the ability of the transportation system to meet the needs of the traveling public is critical to the health of our economy and the quality of life of our citizens. Meeting future needs will require a balanced approach, which preserves what has been built to date, improves system performance, and adds substantial capacity in highways, transit, freight rail and intercity passenger rail.

Some advocacy groups, however, want to take the country down a different path. They want to limit new highway capacity, and shift resources away from highways to transit and intercity passenger rail. And they want to see this approach imposed on states from the national level. 

We disagree.

Horsley goes on to give caveats, saying AASHTO does support more investment in transit and a balanced system, but the message of both his remarks and the report is that road capacity should increase immensely over the next few decades, and it should be prioritized over transit. The argument is that because population is increasing, roads are congested and because congestion eases up when roads are expanded (though this rarely lasts as more cars start driving through that route), travel lanes should be widened and new highways should be built.

AASHTO cites an older report: "To reduce current congestion and meet future needs, the AASHTO 2007 Future Options for Interstate Highways study found that the equivalent of 30,000 additional lane-miles should be added to the existing 85,000 lane-miles of urban Interstate. Additionally, another 40,000 lane-miles need to be added to the existing urban segments of the National Highway System."

Horrifying page after horrifying page, the report cites things like the section "Urban Interstates are the New 'Main Street.'" The section begins, "Within a city's limits, there are no harder-working highways than the Interstates. What were once intended as high-speed national connectors have become, in fact, the new urban Main Streets. In many metro areas, the bulk of traffic is carried on urban Interstates and state arterials, rather than on city and county arterials or local streets." And in the "More Sustainable" section: "Major urban Interstate projects have also afforded opportunities to revitalize communities and improve the environment. Landscaping, sound barriers, improved stormwater facilities and new access for walkers and bicyclists are just some of the improvements being made as urban Interstates are rebuilt." Road widening and walkability typically do not go hand-in-hand, despite these nice words. 

Tri-State Transportation Campaign has done a detailed analysis of the report from a transit advocacy perspective, available here. They write, "As traffic engineers say, 'Trying to cure traffic congestion by adding more capacity is like trying to cure obesity by loosening your belt.'" Meanwhile, NY, NJ, and CT State DOT officials essentially disagree with AASHTO's arguments, asking for fix-it-first maintenance projects and transit investments. 

Read the report here.

Tell lawmakers that Complete Streets and Smart Growth Public Infrastructure bills are priorities!

Last Monday, Vision Long Island headed to Albany in order to show our support for the Complete Streets and Smart Growth public infrastructure bills currently making their way through the New York State Senate and Assembly.  However, we can’t keep the pressure up by ourselves, so be sure and contact your local State Senator and Assemblyman in order to let them know that now is the time to pass these important and necessary bills!

Some notes on Complete Streets (S5711A): The Complete Streets Bill, S5711A, amends the state highway law, enabling safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing Complete Streets design principles. Complete Streets is a policy that ensures all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists, children, seniors and individuals with disabilities are able to travel safely and conveniently on and across all roads. The legislation recognizes that bicycle and pedestrian travel are integral to New York’s transportation system, and requires that they are included in the planning and development of state, county and local transportation facilities, plans and programs. These accommodations would include, but not be limited to bicycle lanes, lane striping and paved shoulders suitable for use by bicyclists, shared road signage, crosswalks, pedestrian control signals, curb cuts and ramps. This bill would bring positive change to make our planners, both at the state and local level, consider all non-auto forms of travel as a routine part of project development as well as the planning for automobiles. It will bring more of a balance to our roads and make them safer and healthier for all users.

Some notes on Smart Growth Public Infrastructure (S5560/A8011): The State Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act, S5560/A8011, will sharply curtail the use of new public funds for projects that support or induce sprawl by redirecting some of that funding to efforts that lead to the economic revitalization of our communities. Sprawl exists in New York State in part because of public funding that prioritizes that type of development. However, there are 95 Smart Growth projects and 45 master plans, hamlet studies and vision plans of various size and scale currently underway throughout Long Island that reject sprawl and seek a more livable and sustainable system. Smart Growth has taken hold for Long Island’s local governments, businesses, advocacy groups and residents.

This bill clearly instructs state agencies and corporations to align their infrastructure planning and spending with Smart Growth criteria. The agencies would prioritize funding to the infrastructure and development plans of local governments, as well as create advisory committees that include community and environmental interests to review any proposed projects. The Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act conserves public expenditures for both services and infrastructure, promotes economic development throughout the State where it is most needed, protects open space vital to New York’s economy and helps New York State achieve its energy and climate change goals by reducing auto use.

For more information on these bills, please read Vision’s support memos for Complete Streets and Smart Growth Infrastructure.

You can read the full body of the Complete Streets bill here, and the Smart Growth Infrastructure bill here.

Contact your local State Senator and Assemblyman and tell them that now is the time to pass these important and necessary bills!

2010 OSC Local Government Leadership Institute to be held at Hofstra May 26th

The New York State Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), Hofstra University’s Wilbur F. Breslin Center for Real Estate Studies and the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University are sponsoring the 2010 OSC Local Government Leadership Institute, taking place on Wednesday, May 26th at Hofstra University. The one-day conference runs from 8:45 to 3:30, with breakfast and late registration beginning at 8.  The event will feature elected officials from Westchester and Long Island counties.

Dr. Merryl H. Tisch, Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, will be the keynote speaker at this event.  Chancellor Tisch has served as a leader in raising State educational standards and has instilled greater accountability for local school districts in New York.

Early registration is strongly encouraged and can be accomplished over the internet.  To register, view the agenda, or for more information, visit the Local Government Leadership Institute’s web site here.

NYIT's Fifth Annual Energy Conference on June 4th

The New York Institute of Technology presents their Fifth Annual Energy Conference: Building a Sustainable Future, on Friday, June 4th from 8:30am-4:00pm at the Auditorium on Broadway. The conference is an educational event focused on sustainability, and speakers will cover engineering, architecture, and business. Other topics will include climate models, media issues, and public perception. The following speakers are confirmed: Drury Crawley, Ph.D., Office of Energy Efficiency, U.S. Department of Energy; Gavin Schmidt, Ph.D., NASA Godard Institute for Space Studies and creator of RealClimate.org; Joshua Wolfe, GHG Photos; Andrew Winston, author of Green to Gold and Green Recovery; Wendy Williams, author of Cape Wind; Leslie Jabs, AIA from Gensler discussing High Performance Replacement Facades (Re-Skinning); and NYSERDA presenting information on the new "Green NY" program. There will be a special multimedia performance at the end of the conference. Violinist Kenji Wiliams will present "Bella Gaia: A Poetic Vision of Earth from Space."

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information or to register, email sustainable@nyit.edu or visit their website. The Auditorium on Broadway, 1871 Broadway at 61st Street, Manhattan.

Walk/Bike conference to be held on Long Island June 7th

June 7th is the first ever Walk/Bike New York conference for Long Island: Encouraging Sustainable Movement. Creating walkable and bikeable environments requires an active collaboration of people with interests in safety, land use, economic development, transportation, education, law enforcement and health promotion. This one-day symposium is expected to draw approximately 200 attendees from various disciplines and provide participants with the tools to work together to create walkable and bikeable communities in New York State. A keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Arthur Wendel, Medical Officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, Public Health and Built Environment Initiative. Topics will include Complete Streets, Safe Routes for Seniors and Youth, Education & Encouragement, Law Enforcement, Local Highlights, Funding Sources and Legislative Updates. Help make Long Island's roads safer!

The conference is a Quality Communities Symposium sponsored by the NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the NYS Department of Health, and the Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research in conjunction with the NYS Department of Transportation, NYS Department of State, New York Bicycling Coalition, Parks & Trails New York, Federal Highway Administration, NYS Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc., NYS Metropolitan Planning Organization Association and AARP.

The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Hauppauge. Early Registration fee $40 (postmarked by May 14); Late/On Site is $50. Due to limited capacity, early registration is recommended. You can register online here. For more information, contact Janine Schultz at 518-453-0291 x104 or email jschultz@itsmr.org.

East End to hold APA/AIA Conference on June 9th

On Wednesday, June 9th from 2:30-8:30pm, join fellow planners, architects, zoning and planning board members, and elected officials at the East End APA/AIA Conference at Suffolk Community College's Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center (20 East Main Street in Riverhead). The conference is a joint presentation of the Long Island Section of the NY Metro Chapter of the American Planning Association and the Peconic Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. This year's East End Planning Conference focuses on comprehensive planning, downtown revitalization and architectural guidelines as they apply to Long Island's East End communities. It includes several workshops on planning and design throughout the day.

The workshop on comprehensive plans is moderated by Michael White of the LI Regional Planning Council and panelists include Jeff Murphree, Land Management Administrator for Southampton; Thomas Wickham, former Councilmember for Southold; Bill Chaleff, Architect; Bob DeLuca, Group for the East End; and Laurie Wiltshire, Land Planning Services. The workshop discusses the components of a comprehensive plan for accommodating growth, including social equity, and their successes and failures. The panel on downtown revitalization is moderated by Vision's Eric Alexander and will look at the villages of Greenport and Southampton and the Town of Riverhead and how they envision the future of their downtowns, including what has already been done and the challenges and successes. Panelists include David Nyce, Mayor of Greenport; Stan Eckstut, Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn Architects; Siamak Sami, Chair, Planning Commission for Southampton Village; Chris Kempner, Director of Community Development for Riverhead; and Victor Prusinowski, former Councilman for Riverhead. The final workshop is on architectural guidelines, moderated by Anne Surchin, Architect. Panelists include Gary Jacquemin, Architect; Kyle Collins, KPC Planning Services; and Diane Mazarakis, Principal Planner for the Town of Brookhaven. The panel asks if design guidelines will lead to homogeneous design, and how they can help reinvent corridors and preserve traditional downtowns. There will also be presentations on Suffolk County's 2035 Vision Plan.

Credits for AIA and AICP certification maintenance have been requested. A light dinner is provided. APA and AIA members $20; nonmembers and at the door $25; students $15. Registration includes dinner. Save a seat by emailing: LongIslandSection@nyplanning.org and register by mailing a check payable to APA-LI Section to: APA - LI Section, c/o Kathryn Eiseman, Treasurer, Nelson, Pope & Voorhis, LLC, 572 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747.

S.T.R.O.N.G. Community Unity Gala on June 10th

You are cordially invited to the “Decade of S.T.R.O.N.G., Community Unity Gala,” which will be held on Thursday June 10th 2010. This momentous event is being held in part to celebrate the tenth anniversary of S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth, Inc. In addition, they will be humbly honoring a handful of outstanding individuals and organizations that have played a pivotal role in their successful journey. The gala is an excellent venue to network with like-minded individuals focused on consciously making a difference in our communities.

Ten years ago, S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth, Inc. had never envisioned to be one of the leading gang prevention/intervention agencies in our region. They only wanted to play a positive and impact role in reuniting our new generation. During that time, they had the opportunity to educate many young people on alternatives to violence and gang life, while creating opportunities for many youth who were seeking redirection and redemption.

All proceeds generated by this event will support the ongoing effort in continuing S.T.R.O.N.G.’s mission. If you have any further questions regarding this event and to get your tickets, call 516-408-3798 or email strong.gala@gmail.com.

Job Fair on June 10th

Councilwoman Glenda A. Jackson, in partnership with the Huntington, East Northport and Melville Chambers of Commerce, proudly hosts the fourth annual Job Fair on Thursday, June 10th from 5-7pm at Harborfields High School. This is a great opportunity to meet employers that are hiring now at all skill levels! You'll be able to job search, network, and interview with employers. Be sure to come prepared to market yourself to employers!

Appropriate business attire is suggested. There will also be a special Resume Writing Clinic hosted by Family Service League from 4-7pm. For additional information, contact Councilwoman Jackson at (631) 351-3171. Harborfields High School is located at Taylor Avenue and Pulaski Road in Greenlawn.

Helen Martin Scholarship for students who have experienced homelessness

The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (formerly Nassau Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless) is pleased to announce that two Helen Martin Scholarships for $1,000 each are available for students who have had personal experience with homelessness. The scholarships will be presented during the 22nd Annual Keys for the Homeless Conference on October 29, 2010.

The application includes a letter(s) of recommendation, essay, and school transcript. Completed applications must be received by Friday, June 25th, and winners will be notified by August 6th. Applicants must enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study or other licensed vocational program no later than the fall session of 2011.

For more information and to request an application form, email info@nsch.org or call (516) 742-7770.

Weill Student Social Action Grant for Ages 12-18

The Weill Student Social Action Grant helps students (ages 12 to 18) perform social action projects by providing two annual grants for up to $500 each for projects by Nassau and Suffolk County students. The recipient could create his or her own program or connect with an existing program such as Pennies for Peace, the American Red Cross, etc. This grant helps the recipient with materials or other costs so that fundraising could be achieved or social actions completed. More than one student can work on a project. To apply, students must submit an application including objectives, expected expenses, action steps and time frame for completion. The project should be completed within 9 months, or if an on-going project, some measurable progress made. The grant is presented by the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island (members of EHSLI cannot apply). The deadline to apply this year has been extended to May 28th.

Projects could include, but are not limited to: fundraising- students could perform fundraising activities for money to be donated to people who are homeless or financially needy, humanitarian/world outreach, disadvantaged populations such as veterans, elderly, sick children, etc., disaster relief, or environmental groups; Action projects- students could perform action projects that create change directly, rather than funding another group, including area clean-ups or improvements, recycling programs, book drives, school supplies drives, food, clothing, furniture drives for hurricane victims, homeless, etc., voter registration drives in poor neighborhoods, community organization projects like organizing for better public transportation, creating bicycle lanes, adding public recycling bins to town streets, etc.

National Endowment for the Arts seeks applications for Challenge America Fast-Track program

The National Endowment for the Arts is accepting applications through the Challenge America Fast-Track project. Challenge America Fast-Track offers support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved communities—those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics or disability. Eligibility includes non-profit organizations; state or local governments; private, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; or federally recognized Native American tribal governments. Individual awards are not to exceed $10,000.

The deadline for submission is Thursday, May 27th. For more information, contact the National Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20506; 202-682-5700; fasttrack@arts.gov.

Vision Long Island seeking interns

Vision Long Island is seeking unpaid interns for Spring and Summer 2010. If you are interested in suburban/urban planning, community development, local government, or sustainability, consider working for us part time.

Our staff likes to say we "wear many hats," and interns will have to do the same. Interns will assist with planning, design, outreach, event planning, writing, research, attending meetings, reporting, photography, and more. Bring your unique skill set to the table! We are looking for energetic and conscientious individuals with an interest in suburban/urban planning from a bottom-up perspective. This is a valuable opportunity to work with great people in a small office environment and learn about the issues impacting Long Island. Strong writing skills a plus.

Note that hours, start date, and end date are all flexible. Although this is an unpaid position, we will gladly work with you to provide college credit and transportation reimbursement. We will also work with you to make sure you have a great experience that is tailored to your specific interests and skill set.

Individuals interested in learning more are encouraged to contact us at info@visionlongisland.org. Please put "Internships for 2010" in the subject heading. You are welcome to include a resume and/or letter, and please indicate if you are available in the Spring, Summer, or both.

Downtown Dance Party in Riverhead

This Saturday from 8-11pm is the Downtown Dance Party at 121 East Main Street in Riverhead. The Downtown Dance Party is an opening reception for the East End Arts Council’s Storefront Art Show and features live music by Center Stage, a Riverhead Band that believes in giving back to the arts and their hometown. The Storefront Art show is a juried exhibition sponsored by the East End Arts Council featuring water-themed large art works on display in vacant storefronts on Main Street windows throughout the entire summer of 2010. The Downtown Dance Party will feature a cash bar and delicious pub food provided by event sponsor, Digger O’Dell’s Fine Food and Spirits, Riverhead’s own Irish pub. The Riverhead Business Improvement District is another key sponsor. 

Tickets are $20 at the door; 21+ only.

Amityville Historical Society Heritage Fairs

This Saturday, May 22nd, from 10am-5pm is the 41st Heritage Fair by the Amityville Historical Society. As one of the Historical Society's biggest events of the year, there will be historical fun with games, arts and crafts, a trolley ride of historic sites, pony rides, vendors, antiques, food, music and more. Every year attendees come from all of the surrounding communities to attend!

The fair is located on Park Avenue and Ireland Place in Amityville. Rain date is Sunday, May 23rd from 12-5pm. For more information, call Adele at 631-264-1866.

SMART GROWTH NEWS

Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Director of Communications
Contributors: Eric Alexander, Executive Director; Tara Klein, Planning Coordinator;
Tawaun Weber, Assistant Director; Elissa Ward, Director of Sustainability; Juliana Roberts Dubovsky, Planning Consultant; Chris Kyle, Program Coordinator

We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration.

If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities.

For more information about Vision Long Island, visit visionlongisland.org or contact us at:
24 Woodbine Ave. Suite One Northport, NY 11768.
Phone: (631) 261-0242. Fax: (631) 754-4452.
Email: info@visionlongisland.org