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Smart Growth News |
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Vision Long Island recently had the opportunity to visit the capital for the State of the State address. We were very happy with the tone and themes of cooperation and a number of creative initiatives for the State in the areas of energy policy and affordable housing. Some critics were questioning the lack of specific priorities for Long Island and it is true that Long Island was only mentioned once or twice in the State of the State. In our view, a speech is simply that, a speech, and budget and legislative priorities will have to be waded through in order to properly analyze the benefits for Long Island. Issues that were not addressed, but we have hope they will be tackled in the next legislative session, budget cycle or by executive order, include the restructuring of NYS DOT Region 10, incentives for downtown revitalization from the NYS ESDC and a program for transit oriented development out of the MTA. Assemblyman Sam Hoyt's Public Infrastructure Act, in whatever form it takes, is also a priority for advocates of Smart Growth. Furthermore, the creation of a Smart Growth Cabinet, that was developed in the fall of 2007, allows for the opportunity for the State to audit its operations and focus on actions that encourage Smart Growth planning. We are looking forward to that discussion as well as working with legislators on bills for housing and infrastructure incentives in the coming term. Rest assured it will not be boring, so stay tuned. |
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VISION's 2007 Supporters To kick off the new year, we would like to recognize those people and organizations that helped us throughout 2007. A full list is available on our website here. Be a Smart Growth News or Smart Talk Visionary
For $500, you can sponsor Smart Growth News, our weekly publication. In recognition, your firm’s logo and a short description of your work will be featured in every issue. For $1,000, your organization can sponsor Smart Talk. This monthly news resource will include your firm’s logo and feature revolving articles on the organizations helping inform Long Island. Archives of Smart Talk and Smart Growth News Weekly are available on our website. For more information on this chance to be at the forefront of Long Island’s Smart Growth Movement, call Vision Long Island, 631-261-0242 or email info@visionlongisland.org. |
We invite you to strengthen and sustain VISION's e-news publications by becoming a Smart Talk Visionary.|
State of the State Calls for Unity and Progression
Other initiatives such as the establishment of a wholesale farmers market in the Bronx and the commitment of $100 million to improve our state parks will bring more economic opportunities to farmers. In addition to the Port Authority's plan to make Stewart Airport the world's first carbon-neutral airport, it appears that New York government is taking an innovative role in environmental leadership. Click here to read the full text from Gov. Spitzer's State of the State Address and visit the Governor's website to read fact sheets and watch video clips. To read the New York League of Conservation Voters' reaction, click here. |
According to a New York Times article entitled, “In Address, Spitzer Sets New tone, For Unity,” the Governor’s second State of the State Address was more focused on policy instead of process reform. Contrary to his inaugural address last year, which resounded of reform and combative changes, Governor Spitzer’s speech outlined a collaborative vision for New York. The speech embraced the idea of imposing a ceiling on property taxes, and turned to Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi to lead a commission to explore how to implement them. The Governor spoke of creating a $4 billion endowment for the State’s public higher education system and adding 2,000 professors to the State and City Universities of New York. He also proposed using tens of millions of dollars in State money to pay for a planned expansion of health insurance for children and spending $400 million on middle-income housing. An editorial from the Buffalo News also noted the Governor’s current “cooperative tone” and supported exploring Spitzer’s “Doctors Across New York” plan which increases care in poor areas.
In the area of Smart Growth, the Governor spoke of the first lady’s “I Live New York” campaign to help keep and attract the next generation to New York. The “I Live” initiative is about building jobs, promoting economic opportunity, and creating dynamic and livable communities. The program focuses on affordable housing, safe streets, and public spaces. In addition to this program, Governor Spitzer recently signed an executive order for a Smart Growth Cabinet. According to a press release from December 10th, the Cabinet will review State agency spending and policies to determine how best to discourage sprawl and promote smart land use practices. It will coordinate cross-agency activities and develop Smart Growth policies that cater to New York’s unique regional needs. Three initiatives have been launched within New York: the Lower Hudson Valley Smart Growth Grant, the Central Catskills and the Adirondacks initiatives.
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Long Island Council of Churches Highlights Housing Crisis Do you know someone at risk of foreclosure? Take action now. With home foreclosures and adjustable rate mortgages rising every day, the Long Island Council of Churches is putting together a panel of experts to help the community understand issues and solutions in the current lending crisis. This event, which takes place on Sunday, January 27th at 1:00pm at the Quaker Meeting House at 550 Post Ave. in Westbury, is moderated by Rev. Tom Goodhue, Executive Director of the LICC, and features Rick Murphy, of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and attorney Joseph La Face. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, call 516-565-0290 or email licchemp@aol.com. |
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Sen. Schumer's Long Island Regional Office Seeks Assistant Regional Representative
"This is a great opportunity to join an exciting fast-paced office and interact with key organizations and Long Island leaders of every type. We seek candidates committed to public service who possess excellent interpersonal, verbal, written communication skills. The Assistant Regional Representative’s main responsibilities are to staff the Senior Senator at frequent community events, organize media events, supervise and implement all administrative office tasks, assist the Regional Representative with projects and issues, respond to all constituent concerns, recruit, and oversee the intern staff. Salary is in the mid-twenties. A college degree is required." To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to: U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer Long Island Office, Attention: Matt Cohen. 145 Pinelawn Road, Suite 300N Melville, NY 11747. Fax: 631-753-0997 or Email: Kristen_Walsh@schumer.senate.gov. For more information, call (631) 753-0978. The Trust for Public Land Seeks Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of Development
The Trust for Public Land is seeking an outstanding individual to become its new Regional Director of Development. He or she will be responsible for managing all fundraising strategies and will directly supervise a regional development staff seven. In keeping with TPL’s strategic outlook, the Regional Director of Development must have an innovative and entrepreneurial vision, focusing on both existing and new sources of funding for MARO, and raising capital and annual dollars to insure the success and growth of TPL. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and recognizing TPL donors and prospects within the region. Working extensively with both junior and senior staff, as well as volunteers, the Regional Director of Development will be part of MARO’s leadership team, assisting with long-term strategic planning for significantly increased fundraising efforts. He or she will work directly with the Senior Vice President and Mid-Atlantic Regional Director as well as the Chief Development Officer to implement national fundraising strategies in the region. The successful candidate will have initiative, charisma, a deep-seated understanding of stewardship, and extraordinary attention to details. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree, with preference given to those with a Master's. They also must have at least six years of nonprofit fundraising experience and have experience with grant writing and staff development, and be available for travel. For more information on this New York City-based position, visit the Trust for Public Land's website. To apply for the job, contact Jack Lusk or Lisa Reilly at Harris Rand Lusk by email or mail at 551 Fifth Ave, Suite 3300, New York, NY 10176. |
The Long Island Regional Office for US Senator Charles Schumer is seeking an Assistant Regional Representative for a full-time position. The notice issued by the Senator's Long Island office states: 
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Office (MARO) has oversight of projects in New York (including New York City), New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Delaware.|
"Have a Heart for the Homeless" Candlelight Vigil
Donations of unused baby items, diapers, formula, unopened toiletries, and non-perishable foods will be accepted at the door. For more information, contact the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless at 516-742-7770 or gguarton@nsch.org. Sierra Club To Hold Downtown Redevelopment Seminar
For more information, visit liserraclub.org. 9th Annual Organic Turf Trade Show Coming February 26th
For more information, visit the Neighborhood Network here or contact Beth Fiteni at 631-963-5454. |
The Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless is holding their annual "Have a Heart for the Homeless" Candlelight Vigil on Friday, February 13th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Farmingdale State College. The vigil will take place on the Great Lawn and the Multi-Purpose Room at 2350 Broadhollow Rd. and will feature a candle lighting ceremony, guest speakers, and music by Miles to Dayton. 
On Saturday, February 16th from 2pm to 4pm, the Long Island Sierra Club will be holding a seminar about downtown redevelopment at the Neighborhood House in Setauket. Reinvesting in walkable downtowns decreases traffic, reduces emissions, and protects open space from housing pressures. VISION's own Eric Alexander will be there to explain how community visioning and Smart Growth principles can redirect development to revitalize our neglected downtown areas.
The 9th Annual Organic Turf Trade Show will be held on Tuesday, February 26th at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Reception Center from 8am to 4pm. Presented by the Neigbhorhood Network, the Trade Show features displays from vendors of 100% organic turf care products, as well as workshops on the latest in caring for turf without toxic chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Last year saw over 250 attendees, from landscapers to horticulturists, golf course & parks employees, and gardeners from around the region, along with school facilities managers, public officials, and non-profit groups coming together to learn about state of the art advances in organic turf care.|
New Broadwater Forum Focuses on Human Rights
For years, the Broadwater discussion has focused on protecting our treasured Long Island Sound, water safety, and maritime culture and preserving water-dependent activities like fishing and boating. This Forum will offer a new human rights perspective on the project sponsor. Shell Oil has massive LNG operations in Nigeria, where the company continues to degrade the environment, economy, and culture of Niger Delta peoples. Shell is being sued in Manhattan federal court for violating the human rights of Nigerian Nobel Peace Prize nominee Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Nigerians who are now dead. Learn more about the status of the Broadwater proposal, see video footage of Ken Saro-Wiwa, and hear Lauren Melodia, a representative of the Center for Constitutional Rights (which has filed the lawsuit against Shell Oil), speak on the Saro-Wiwa case. The Cinema Arts Centre is located at 423 Park Avenue in Huntington. For more information on Broadwater, visit the Citizens Campaign for the Environment's website. Norman Rockwell Lecture Comes to Long Island Museum
New Haven To Host New Urbanist Film Festival
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There will be a forum about Broadwater at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington on Thursday, January 17th at 7:30pm. "A New Human Rights Perspective with Lauren Melodia" features a discussion on the Broadwater proposal and the struggle between Shell Oil and TransCanada and the environmental lobby, as the oil companies try to build an industrial Liquified Natural Gas barge in the open waters of the Long Island Sound, approximately 9 miles from Rocky Point.
The Long Island Museum will be holding a lecture on Norman Rockwell on January 13th at 2pm. Featuring Philadelphia's Moore College of Art and Design's Jonathan Wallis, the lecture will cover Rockwell's work that went into creating his iconic works for the Saturday Evening Post. Following the lecture, all 323 Post covers will be on display. The museum is at 1200 Rt. 25A in downtown Stony Brook and is open Wednesdays through Sundays. Call 631-751-0066 or visit their 
Though a surprising place to hold a film festival about New Urbanism, New Haven will host the 2 month-long "Saving Our Cities/Saving the Land: A New Urbanism Film Festival," running on Thursdays throughout January and February. The first annual event will explore the challenges facing the region and the nation as we reach build-outs and seeks alternatives to sprawl.|
"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew." (Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States) |
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: |