“New Yorkers’ transportation habits have changed. They have turned to walking and riding bicycles to save money, reduce their carbon footprint and live healthier lives. They drive more fuel-efficient vehicles, make use of mass transit and live closer to community hubs. Where we can, we must begin to consider what’s best for all those that make use of the state’s infrastructure. It’s time we plan, design and build for a multi-modal state.”

-State Senator Martin Malavé Dilan, sponsor of Complete Streets legislation.

Serota Properties

For over 50 years, Serota Properties has been a developer of first class retail, office and residential property in the greater New York metropolitan area. Founded in 1952, the company initially began as a builder of residential homes. Since then, Serota Properties has evolved into a full service real estate company.

Today, the Serota organization specializes in the management and development of a complete commercial property portfolio that runs across multiple property types. Along with a seasoned team of real estate professionals, Serota is focused on the continued growth and expansion of its original vision of excellence.

Visit their website for more.

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.

Not including the one you live in, what's your favorite Long Island downtown to visit in the summer?

Email us your thoughts or comment on Facebook!

Last week's highlights

We asked if a casino should be built on LI and if so, where. Here are some of the responses:

YES

YES A CASINO SHOULD BE BUILT ON LONG ISLAND.....

Yes. Somewhere in Suffolk County since they are a Suffolk tribe. In Brookhaven would be even better,

How about on reservation property...where they belong

I vote for Centre Island, Lloyd Harbor or Sag Harbor.

Belmont, you already have gambling in place and they have the space, parking, highways and mass transportation in place. It would not create a traffic nightmare because of the mass transportation available.

I am for the airport in Brookhaven, look for an area that needs to be revidalized and that area does. a lot of empty stores and it would bring a lot of business to the area

Beautiful downtown Northport -- perhaps on Woodbine Ave?

Yes yes yes at the old Calverton Grummans or the old Parr Race Track in Yaphank major roads they could always have a large parking area and bus the people like they do to Foxwoods and Mohegan that is why we have the park and rides for that purpose as well, there are enough park and rides to accomadate buses to bring the people. We need more jobs here in long island and it would work besides help out with the taxes here on Long Island as well, Guarantee that is what Trump wants to do in Jones Beach.

Parr Meadows is a sensible location.

Yes, Eastern Long Island.. THe hotels, sporting events, Less dwi arrests, would be awesome.. Concerts..how nice it would be to see a good concert year round in the Hampton..sLet's go Hamptons!!!!!!

How about Kings Park Psych Center? Not much else going on there as far as I know....

Yes, and near the Shinnecock Indian reservation if possible. In fact didn't Stony Brook just close their Southampton campus? Why not right there? Plenty of roads near by, and a LIRR station to boot!

Yes,i believe gambling would benefit our economy,i think it would stimulate growth in tourism and its profits could bridge the gap to tax relief for small business and homeowners.Lets face reality its going to go on anyway lets use it to our advantage.I think we could have 2 locations,surrounding areas of orient point out east maybe riverhead.and the nassau location that has been planned.We can keep our parks opened and grow as an island.

Kings Park already has a towering building shaped much like the main building at Foxwoods that could be renovated along with a few others... if it could be done without hurting the community or damaging the NYS parklands too much. Make them pay to clean up the rest of the site which NYS can't afford to do right now. Otherwise Parr meadows since it is destined for development anyway and right off the LIE. Epcal... only if they create passenger rail service on that old spur to the site.

NO

Please do not put it at the airport that is too much for the community. The traffic is hard enough to deal with in the Summer as it is and all the businesses already in existence is too much. This is a fine way for more residence to leave the town of Brookhaven. Please don’t do this to us.

Casinos should not be built anywhere, especially here in Suffolk County. No public land should be considerd for sale or given away for such an ill-conceived purpose. If the Indians want to build Casinos, they have a large reservation that is clearly souvreign land. Seems to me if the East End can manage to host the 50K visitors that came for the US OPEN, just a stones throw from that Reservation, then the traffic argument is pure BS. S'hampton should be able to handle the few thousand or so gamblers that might be willing to drive out to Suffolk County just to play a few slot machines while also getting to mingle with the rich and famous. Real shame is that our elected political heavy weights seem devoid of any truly new or creative ideas that might bring real jobs and keep healthy Long Island communities sustaninable for many decades. A totally new paradigm employment solution is required; one that is focused on a single new idea that gives us what we truly need ...not Casinos. Without even brothering to ask our citizens, these electeds have now put almost ten LI communities up for sale..all just for the promised one-arm bandit $.. Perhaps Casinos are not the only one-arm bandits after all...seems to me we need answers that will not also bring huge social ills, unwanted community deterioration, more low-paying unsustainable jobs, crime and even more traffic ...ALL so these out-of-touch politician folks and their friends can continue in their bloated spending way

I am definitely against placing any casinos on Long Island, especially by where I live which is near Calabro Airport. I lived in Las Vegas for 2 ½ years and I know first hand what kind of people casinos can attract. As a matter of fact, my ex-husband became addicted to gambling while we lived there. Our area already has too many low income people on drugs, alcohol, etc. which increases theft of homes. Gambling is another addiction which causes addicts to spend their entire paycheck on gambling, then they rob people to get more money. Casinos should be built in more unpopulated areas upstate and such, at least this way if people decide to move near casinos it’s their choice. I don’t think it’s fair to impose casinos to people already residing in an area. Casinos will also cause more traffic which we already have too much of now. I grew up on Long Island in Medford when it was country. It’s disturbing to see all the growth that has occurred over the years. I think enough is enough. We need to stop more growth before Long Island becomes an unbearable and ugly place to live.

As they say "Not in my backyard"

Not Calverton!

we need jobs, but the right kind of jobs. i dare say that jobs associated with a casino would further this trend - http://liindex.org/growth_wages.0.html

Not in Brookhaven! Lunacy Village and every other bad idea should not be in Yaphank

Not the kind of development I would want to see. I'd prefer to see more of a spa/nature resort theme. Capitalize on the ocean, Hamptons, wineries, wild life that's left. Could have some family resorts and convention center for large conferences (like Nashville and New Orleans). Already enough casinos around and the city has the action, Long Island can have the relaxation.No Thank you!!

All over the state gambling is not doing well. In most of the areas where there is a gambling, the surrounding community in negatively impacted. Why would we want that on Long Island? Let's get back on our feet with this downturn in the economy and do things that will leave a legacy - and that doesn't include gambling. If you want to gamble, you can go upstate. When they want the best beaches in the world, they come downstate.

Before anything is done, a social impact study should be called for. As someone who runs THE only problem gambling treatment program in Suffolk County, I can tell you the devastating effects that problem gambling has on adolescents, adults and their famiies. I am not against gaming but I am against not looking at the effects of a casino in a particular area and also putting in ways for people who will become even more involved in their addiction to get to have access to and receive quality treatment. Prevention is also a key - with education, environmental strategies, etc. To put a casino in just to raise revenue without thought of the area or impact on the population is like putting an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

Lets look at what it has done to other communites and decide if it is really a good idea.

Oh NO! Nowhere! It irks me to no end that there's talk of putting it in Belmont Race Track, as if Elmont doesn't have enough problems.

if a casino is in the offing, you can suggest that local citizens make the choice on purpose. Celebrate the loss of common sense. Imagine the bumper sticker that says "We don't care if it's stupid, everybody needs a casino --and maybe a crack habit."Tell the world boldly that you believe in the principle of something for nothing.

Extraction industries will need boosters and true believers if they are going to get started on Long Island. If you don't have timberlands to clear cut or mountains to strip mine perhaps a casino will have to do.

Hell no

Support the Lighthouse project: no casino

Long Island Business Council Tackles Energy Issues

The Long Island Business Council, an organization of business owners from across the region, met for the third time on Tuesday, June 23rd to discuss plans for the summer as well as to hear from guest speaker Richie Kessel, NYPA’s CEO.

With representatives from local chambers of commerce, school boards and various civic organizations, the LIBC reported on new platform initiatives as well as discussed where the summer will take them.  Plans included meeting with local IDAs to push office space for downtowns, working to repeal the MTA payroll tax and calling for LIPA’s Board of Trustees to be returned to elected positions.

Richie Kessel spoke on the future of energy policy in New York State and on the importance of renewable energy for the future as well as the startling lack of an energy plan for the country and how it has contributed to the tragedy currently taking place in the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Kessel also stressed the need for wind energy and gave high marks to the federal government for working with state governments to foster renewable energy as a source of power for the future.  The newly approved wind farm for the coast of Cape Cod was discussed as well as the steps New York has and will be taking to actively strive towards becoming a national leader in clean energy.

The next meeting was announced for late September to give progress reports on summer initiatives. For more information, contact LIBC at 877-811-7471 or visit libcny.org.

NYS Comptroller DiNapoli working to help save our natural resources

A report filed on June 24th by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli found that nearly 40 percent of the State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) has been used to balance the budget since 1993. The report stated that within the last 17 years, a total of $845 million has been swept from the EPF to the General Fund and used to fill budget holes produced by unsustainable state budget practices; only $347 million of those dollars were ever replaced.

Environmental Protection Funds typically offset the costs that farmers and municipalities face to meet environmental mandates and support key sectors of a state's economy. EPF’s are used specifically to subsidize agriculture, tourism, forestry and also work to protect New York’s water, air and wildlife habitats. This report comes at a time when New York State is toying with closing upwards of 41 state parks this summer- all funded by EPF’s. Governor Paterson has proposed a $143 million dollar cut, leaving the EPF 40% smaller than last years.

“When EPF programs work, they work well,” DiNapoli said. “The fund has protected some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. But if there are delays in spending fund dollars, the result is dirtier water, fewer parks and a poorer environment. Sweeps and back door borrowing were not part of the plan when the EPF was implemented. State agencies have to do a better job getting EPF money out the door and into the vital projects across New York.”

DiNapoli’s report was based on audits of the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Department of State, the Department of Agriculture and Markets, and 10 municipal governments. Auditors examined if agencies employed clear criteria in awarding EPF funds to eligible projects, evaluated the timeliness of agency awards and assessed the agencies’ monitoring of project sponsors.

There were significant lapses in completion of EPF projects. As a result, funds awarded to these projects sat idle, while qualified project applicants were denied funding. Auditors also found significant delays in the implementation of procedures to award and disburse EPF funds.

DiNapoli’s report recommends NYS: establish formal timeframes to meet expedited grant award process milestones and establish and maintain scored lists of qualified projects; standardize contracts to facilitate compliance with prompt contracting; set requirements and establish clear guidelines to govern each step in the funding process; improve communication between implementing agencies and applicants/awardees; establish a central clearing house for EPF information; and report annually on the implementation of EPF programs.

A copy of the report can be found here.

Nassau County proposed consolidation plan open to public

A public hearing was held on June 15th at the Nassau County Legislative Chamber to discuss Nassau County’s proposed Consolidation Plan and Strategy.  The hearing allowed citizens to voice their opinions and make comments about the proposed five-year, $107 million plan that will address all of Nassau County’s housing needs.

The Consolidated Plan was put together by the Nassau County Office of Housing and Intergovernmental Affairs and in conjunction with the 34 communities in the Nassau Urban County Consortium.  The five year plan consists of an assessment of Nassau County’s housing and community development needs pertaining to housing rehabilitation, rental assistance, home ownership opportunities, public improvements, neighborhood revitalization, economic development, special housing needs and homelessness.  The Consolidation Plans also looks at market and inventory conditions as well as housing and community development priorities.  Though the plan is laid out over a five year span, an annual fiscal plan was also drafted in order to address immediate housing and community development needs.

The plan is based on data gathered from the 2000 Census and, more recently, the American Communities Survey estimates, as well as input from housing and social service agencies serving the County.   The proposed plan will be funded through a combination of Community Development Block Grant, HOME Program funds, and Emergency Shelter Grant funds.

Objectives of the program include: Rehabilitation assistance for low and moderate income households residing in existing housing; expansion of home ownership opportunities for low and moderate income households; rental assistance to very low income households; new construction of rental housing for very low income households including seniors; substantial rehabilitation for the expansion of homeownership and rental opportunities for low and moderate income households; housing support services for low and moderate income households; provision of housing and support services for the homeless and for others with special needs; maintenance and operation of public housing; removal of impediments to housing choice and affirmatively furthering fair housing; provision of new and improved public facilities and infrastructure improvements; provision of programs and services to address the needs of senior citizens, youth and others; enhancement of business areas to eliminate and prevent blight and create and retain jobs;  provision of improvements which remove architectural barriers to accessibility; and elimination and prevention of blight through rehabilitation, demolition, redevelopment, brownfields remediation and code enforcement.

In addition to the public hearing, Nassau County is also accepting comments submitted in writing. Comments must be submitted by July 15th to Raymond Thomas, Director, Nassau County Office of Housing and Intergovernmental Affairs, 40 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Hempstead, New York 11550. You can also visit that address to view a full copy of the draft plan, which is available for public inspection. For further information, please contact Michelle Bardi, Office of Housing and Intergovernmental Affairs, at 516-572-1918.

Schumer: Summer jobs funds help Long Island youth

On June 14th U.S. Senator Charles Schumer held a press conference in Great Neck to announce that $1 billion in summer youth jobs funding is set to pass the Senate.  The funding is part of the Schumer-backed American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act and could help teenagers and young adults land a seasonal job. The legislation will send tens of millions of dollars to the Workforce Investment Boards in New York State and upwards of 3.6 million dollars directly to Long Island.

The legislation comes at a time when nationally the youth unemployment rate is 21.5%. At the end of 2009, only one in four 16 to 19 year olds held a job and nearly one in three 20 to 24 year olds were neither employed nor enrolled in school. “More than any time in recent memory, summer jobs for teenagers and young adults are going to be tough to come by this summer,” said Schumer.  “That’s why we need to start taking critical steps to immediately address the problem - investing in summer jobs programs will not only ensure that kids and young adults have the proper training to join the work force, but will relieve stress on middle class families and is a proven way to jumpstart a local economy.”

Last year, similar legislation through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) delivered 24,000 jobs to the state of New York, with 1261 going to Long Islanders’ youth.   This year’s legislation has the capacity of creating 250,000 youth jobs nationwide and will be critical in helping middle class families who are increasingly facing the financial burden of supporting their grown children.  The percentage of employed teens, 26 percent in late 2009, is the lowest it has been in more than six decades. “Putting young people back to work is a proven way to help the economy and is a goal we should be aggressively pursuing,” Schumer added.

Hicksville Farmers Market Opens THIS SUNDAY!

The Hicksville Farmers Market is opening this Sunday! It'll be open from 9am-2pm at Kennedy Memorial Park, between Jerusalem and Broadway, right at the Hicksville Train Station. The Farmers Market will last throughout the summer and fall, every Sunday through November 21st at the same time slot. The market features Long Island grown vegetables, plants and flowers; plus NY State fruit, juices and preservatives, eggs, honey, cheese, artisan bread, and more! They'll accept Visa, MasterCard, Debit, Snap, and EBT; plus they will participate in WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The Farmers Market is supported by the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce, the Hicksville Community Council, and the Town of Oyster Bay. This is the first project to come out of the community's visioning that Vision helped kick off in January. The community is very excited for it so come check it out this weekend for the grand opening! 

You can "Like" the Hicksville Downtown Revitalization page on Facebook here, and see the Farmers Market event page here.

Despite lack of support, Freeport incinerator plan burns on

Amidst ongoing public outcry, Freeport Village Mayor Andrew Hardwick’s plans to construct a waste- to- energy incinerator in the Village of Freeport have continued. The proposed incinerator is to be located on the water in the Village’s southeast section and would cost an estimated $500 million to build.   The incinerator would be capable of processing 3200 tons of garbage a day while generating 9600 megawatt hours of electricity.   However, the Village of Freeport already has a power plant which meets residents’ needs.

The waste to energy incinerator plan has been surrounded by controversy since its inception, in part due to a lack of communication between Mayor Hardwick and the public.  Freeport resident and community activist Patricia Rowen told Newsday that “This is very upsetting and what's more upsetting is that he [Hardwick] is not talking to us about it.”  The plan was previously thought of as dead before a YouTube interview of Mayor Hardwick discussing the incinerator and his plans surfaced.

In the interview, Mayor Hardwick discusses his plan to import garbage through Freeport’s canal system on barges as well as through the streets in trucks in order to create revenue for the Village.   This obviously has local residents concerned due to the air and water pollution created by the incinerator.

Last March, over 100 residents of Freeport held a rally outside of Village Hall to protest the incinerator.  At a meeting where the incinerator was to be discussed, the fire marshal had to lock out residents because so many people showed up.  Even the neighboring communities of South Freeport and Bellmore have held meetings on  the issue.

According to Village officials the Freeport waste-to-energy incinerator plan is in the exploratory stages.  In fact, a proposal has not yet been submitted to the village counsel.   Lamou Keita, of Freeport's public relations department, told the LI Herald  that ”Freeport does not have incinerator project," nor would it, she said, for the "foreseeable future."  However, Mayor Hardwick has been in contact with the company Zhongde and has traveled to China meet with officials from the company that sells and makes waste-to-energy incinerators.  Mayor Hardwick was recently quoted in Merrick Life as saying “Garbage is money” and he wants to make Freeport an affordable place.

US DOT and HUD launch collaborative funding effort to create livable, sustainable communities

Earlier this week, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and US Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced a groundbreaking collaborative effort designed to help foster planning for more livable, sustainable communities– places where transportation, housing and commercial development investments are coordinated to better serve the people living in those communities. For the first time, the DOT and HUD will join forces to award up to $75 million in funding for localized planning activities that ultimately lead to projects that integrate transportation, housing and economic development. Of those funds, $35 million will be TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) II Planning Grants and $40 million will be Sustainable Community Challenge Grants.

TIGER II Planning Grants may be used to plan, prepare or design surface transportation projects that would be eligible for funding under the TIGER II Discretionary Grant program. These projects include highways, bridges, transit, railways, ports or bicycle and pedestrian facilities. HUD’s Sustainable Communities funding will target urban and community planning projects that foster reform and reduce barriers to achieving affordable, economically vital and sustainable communities. Such efforts may include amending or replacing local master plans, zoning codes and building codes either on a jurisdiction-wide basis or in a specific neighborhood or sector to promote mixed-use development, affordable housing and the re-use of older buildings for new purposes with the goal of promoting sustainability at the local level. These activities, when done in conjunction with transportation projects, can greatly increase the efficiency and effectiveness local transportation, and access to it, while encouraging mixed-use or transit-oriented development. The program will encourage and reward areas that are planning more innovative projects that coordinate housing, economic development and transportation investments.

Rather than have applicants proceed through two separate grant application procedures that might be on different timelines and with different requirements, this joint notice of funding availability (NOFA) is intended to create one point of entry to federal resources.

This new program builds on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, an innovative new interagency collaboration, launched by President Obama in June 2009, between the DOT, HUD and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Guided by six Livability Principles, the Partnership is designed to remove the traditional federal government silos that exist between departments and strategically target the agencies’ transportation, land use, environmental, housing and community development resources to provide communities the resources they need to build more livable, sustainable communities.

The Partnership will be coming to Long Island this summer to help boost downtowns by cutting through some of the existing red tape in the planning process. The meeting is coming together with the help of Senator Charles Schumer, Vision Long Island, Sustainable Long Island and the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University.

Learn more and apply for a grant here. Pre-applications are due on July 26th. You can also read more here about the grants here.

ICLEI NYS Climate Protection Network Meeting on June 17th

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability will be hosting a New York State Climate Protection Network Meeting on Thursday, June 17th from 9:30am-3pm in four separate locations: Albany, Babylon, Bedford and Ithaca. This first annual meeting will bring New York's municipal leaders together to discuss, share, and collaborate on successful climate mitigation and energy efficiency programs. Spotlight topics include the implementation of PACE programs, EECBG-funded projects, and consortium building. The morning portion of the meeting will consist of a series of webinar presentations broadcast to all locations. After a lunch break (please bring your own lunch), ICLEI members will have the opportunity to network with peer local government staff and elected officials. 

The Babylon meeting will take place at 200 E. Sunrise Highway in Lindenhurst. For more information or to RSVP, email Jamie O'Connell at jamie.oconnell@iclei.org by June 6th. 
  
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a membership association of local governments in the United States committed to advancing climate protection and sustainable development. For more information visit ICLEI's website.

Vision Long Island seeking interns for Fall 2010

Vision Long Island is now seeking unpaid interns for Fall 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 Fall 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.

Shop at local farmers markets this summer

If you're looking for a way to stimulate your local economy while getting fresh food and enjoying your local downtown area, check out a farmers market near you! Here are a few that are centered in or are very close to downtowns: 

 

SUFFOLK

AMITYVILLE VILLAGE, 9/11 Memorial Park, Rt 110 South. Open Sat., 12 a.m. to noon, through November 6. Contact: Ethel Terry, 631-323-3653.

EAST HAMPTON, Nick & Toni's parking lot, 136 N. Main St. Open Fri., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through September 24. Contact: Kate Plumb, 631-725-9133.

HUNTINGTON, Elm Street parking lot, Main Street (Route 25A). Open Sun., 7 a.m. to noon; through November 21. Contact: Ethel Terry, 631-323-3653.

ISLIP, Town Hall parking lot on Montauk Highway, Route 27A. Open Sat., 7 a.m. to noon; through November 20. Contact: Ethel Terry, 631-323-3653.

MOUNT SINAI, North Shore Heritage Park, 633 Mt. Sinai-Coram Rd. Open Fridays, 2 pm to 6 pm. Contact Trish Graham 631-509-0882

MONTAUK, On the Green, center of Downtown Montauk. Open Thurs., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; through October 15. Contact: Laraine Creegan 631-668-2428

NORTHPORT, Northport Village Park, Main Street. Open Sat., 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.; June 19th through Mid Nov. Contact: Northport Chamber of Commerce 631-754-3905.

PATCHOGUE, 7-Eleven store parking lot, Montauk Highway west of Route 112. Open Fri., 7 a.m. to noon; through late November. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653.

PORT JEFFERSON, parking lot next to ferry, Route 25A. Open Thur., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; through Oct. 22. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653.
RIVERHEAD, downtown next to Atlantis Marine World Aquarium, Downtown. Open Thur., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; through November 18. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653.

SAG HARBOR, Breakwater Yacht Club parking lot, Bay & Burke Streets. Open Sat., 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; through October 30. Contact Mary Woltz, 631-899-3445.

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, 85 Mill Road, Village Municipal parking. Open Sat., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; through November 21. Contact Elise Collins 631-288-1559.

NASSAU

GARDEN CITY, 101 County Seat Dr., Supreme Ct. Bldg. lot off Old Country Rd. Open Tues., 7 a.m. to 1p.m.; through Nov. 23. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653

GLEN COVE, Village Square. Open Sun., 7 a.m. to noon; through Nov. 21. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653

HEMPSTEAD VILLAGE, Christ Presbyterian Church, Fulton & Washington St., across from police station. Open Fri., 7 a.m. to noon; through Oct.. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653.

HICKSVILLE, Kennedy Memorial Park, between Jerusalem and Broadway, near the Hicksville Train Station. Sundays, June 27th-November 21st, 9am-2pm.

LOCUST VALLEY, Forest Avenue, across from post office. Open Sat., 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; November 6. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653.

LONG BEACH, Kennedy Plaza at Long Beach City Hall, 1 West Chester St.. through Nov.. Contact: Bernadette Martin 631-678-5227

NEW HYDE PARK, Long Island Medical Center lot. Open Wed., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; through Mid Nov..  Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653

PORT WASHINGTON, Town Dock, Main Street. Open Sat., 7 a.m. to noon; through Oct. 31. Contact: Grassroots Environmental Education, Patti Wood, 516-883-0887.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, LIRR parking lot, corner of sunrise Hgwy & Long Beach Rd. Open Sun., 7 a.m. to noon; through Nov. 21. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653.

Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club Field Day at Babylon Town Hall

Field Day is a nationwide emergency preparedness exercise that is held every year on the 4th full weekend in June that is sponsored by the ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio. The object is to set up radio stations and make as many contacts over the radio as possible using only emergency power sources (batteries and generators- no commercial power). Some people operate from their homes. Others operate from tents in the middle of a field (major storms can destroy buildings). A few even operate out of their cars. Thousands of amateur radio operators across the U.S. and Canada participate every year. There are 660,000 Amateur Radio operators in the US, and more than 2.5 million around the world. Through the ARRL, ham volunteers provide emergency communications for the Department of Homeland Security and its Citizen's Corps, the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA and thousands of state and local agencies, all for free. Their slogan "When all else fails," is more than just words to hams they prove they can send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, internet or any other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis.

The Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club (GSBARC) holds its Field Day activities every year at the Babylon Town Hall in North Lindenhurst, on the east lawn. Setup starts at 7am on Saturday with on the air operations beginning at 2pm, and continuing to 2pm on Sunday, when everything is taken down. Officials of the Town of Babylon and the Emergency Management Office will be present during the operation of Field Day. Town Hall is the site of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of the Town, and Field Day is part of the annual emergency preparedness planning of Babylon Town. Everyone is welcome to attend whether you are licensed or just interested in finding out more about the emergency preparedness of the Town of Babylon. GSBARC welcomes the public to come down and see ham radio's capabilities and learn how to get their own FCC radio license before the next disaster strikes!

Learn more here.

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
Interns: Herb Glass, Chloe Johnson, Cody Miller

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