 |
Bethpage Federal Credit Union
Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution, committed to providing members with extraordinary value and service, anytime, anywhere. Members represent a diverse cross-section of the Long Island economy, including employees of many of the largest firms in the high tech, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, legal and service industries. 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.
|
Bethpage Federal Credit Union has been an advocate of Vision Long Island and Smart Growth causes across the area. We thank them for their support.
|
The 7th Annual Smart Growth Summit is Coming
Thursday, November 13th, 2008
The 2008 Smart Growth Summit will focus on the policies, challenges and Smart Growth projects that need to be implemented. It brings together the broadest Long Island leaders from community, civic, professional and governmental sectors to educate and formulate strategies to move these policies and projects forward. We need you to be a part of these solutions.
Worksessions Include:*
Technical sessions Include:*
*subject to change More Details Coming soon!
Sponsorship Packages are Available! • Visionary package includes: Logo in materials and advertisements, special recognition at event and on website, banner display, table for 10 at breakfast and lunch plenary sessions
Registration is now open! A downloadable registration form is available here.
__Visionary - $15,000 __Leader - $10,000 __Gold Sponsor - $5,000 __Sponsor - $2,000 Registration forms may be mailed to our office at 24 Woodbine Ave., Suite One, Northport, NY 11768 or faxed to 631-754-4452. Leadership Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Sponsors
|
Please join us for the 2008 Smart Growth Summit. This event represents the culmination of six successful Summits and promises to be the greatest yet. Its format includes improved networking opportunities and a variety of informative workshops on the best practices in Smart Growth and land use planning.
The Summit addresses a range of topics including transportation, clean energy & green building, sewers & infrastructure, codes & regulations, commercial corridor redevelopment, community planning & public process, regional planning, housing & gentrification, downtown revitalization, and projects of regional significance. The Summit also updates the regional Blueprint for Smart Growth, which was developed from our previous summits. The Blueprint continues to be a platform towards advancing a Smart Growth agenda for Long Island and your participation in the event helps to shape it.
|
Long Island Smart Growth Working Group welcomes Helena Williams of the LIRR
The Long Island Smart Growth Working Group includes Vision Long Island, Neighborhood Network, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, Regional Plan Association, LI Progressive Coalition, Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, League of Conservation Voters, AARP, and the Suffolk Community Council. Long Island Business News reporter David Winzelberg covered the story here. Ravitch Commission Hearing in Mineola
The last hearing was held on Wednesday, September 24th in White Plains. The Commission’s faces a December 5th deadline to provide recommendations to state lawmakers. Hopefully, the testimony provided by the public and speakers will help the MTA get back on track. No pun intended. Richard Kessel Named Chief Executive of NYPA
For more information, see this article from Newsday. Levy Proposes New 2009 Operating Budget
NYSDOT Launches Innovative Green LITES Program
For more information, see this article on SmartGrowth.org. Lighthouse Development Group introduces new blog
Minimum Wage Increase is Not Enough
According to John Durso, President of RWDSU Local 338, International Vice President of the United Food & Commercial Workers, and President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, "The American Dream may not be dead, but it's on life support." Durso argues that inflation and rising prices are no longer just working class problems. Nearly every American is being hit hard. Now let's think about this predicament: this is an increase of 70 cents an hour, which means $5.40 a day extra. After taxes that's a gallon of gas and a stick of gum. With a shockingly turbulent economy, and even President Bush saying "our entire economy is in danger," this injustice is brought to even more serious light. Despite our country's current financial crisis, it is time for lawmakers and employers alike to seriously consider implementing a living wage—a term referring to the smallest hourly wage that will allow a person to achieve a healthy standard of living. And that's far more than the current federal minimum wage. Read more about this on USAToday's website or in John Durso's article in the LIBN. |
On Tuesday, September 23rd, Helena Williams, President of the Long Island Railroad, Paul Beyer, Director of the Smart Growth Cabinet, and Peter Fleischer, Director of Empire State Future presented before the Long Island Smart Growth Working Group. A diverse group of individuals representing a broad range of communities, businesses, environmental groups, elected officials, and civic associations, the working group tackles regional issues with State agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Over 60 people attended the worksession to discuss local concerns and issues with the MTA and the potential for Transit-Oriented-Development in the region. 
Despite the challenges on the LIRR imposed by suburban sprawl since the 1950s, the LIRR is directing new energy and resources to TOD. According to Ms. Wiliams, the LIRR will return to its original TOD model from the turn of the 20th century with the support and initiative of local communities. Advancement of these principles relies upon modernizing the train system, increasing off-peak and reverse commuter ridership, and the success of mega projects such as the Third Track and East Side Access at Grand Central. 
State-wide efforts were highlighted by Paul Beyer of the Governor’s SG Cabinet and Peter Fleischer, Director of Empire State Future. Beyer gave an update on the Smart Growth Cabinet and its proposed legislation to ensure priority funding and principles to guide executive investments. Peter Fleischer noted that while recent economic trends are helping to advance Smart Growth and TOD throughout the state, more support must come from the State. To advance TOD, members of the group are working towards gathering support for important projects and legislation, and are working on initiating a TOD program at the MTA/LIRR. Future worksessions will further these charges and continue to bridge State agencies with Smart Growth. 
Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi spoke first, focusing on important projects and innovations such as East Side Access and light rail. When asked about funding these projects by Mr. Ravitch, Suozzi rejected property taxes and suggested congestion pricing be revisited. Richard Bivone, President of the Nassau Council Chambers of Commerce was in opposition to congestion pricing, but suggested that the MTA invest in the people of LI by gaining their support for important projects and earmarking specific funds for them. Bob Yaro, President of the Regional Plan Association, suggested parking reforms, an increase in the gas tax and licensing fees, some form of road pricing, as well as fare increases that adjust with inflation, the market, and time of day. The so-called “spreading the pain” method asks all users of the transportation system to contribute; it was the most practical advice in an era of limited federal funding and State financing cuts. Above all, Mr. Yaro recommended an economic development strategy for further consolidation to increase internal savings. Lisa Tyson, Director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition, suggested a “fix it first” approach, citing New Jersey’s DOT as an example, and even went so far as to suggest “taking the DOT’s money” with a sprawl tax to ensure that funds went to mass transit instead of more roads. George Spitz offered the most daring suggestion, that the MTA save millions by ending projects like the No.7 and the 2nd Avenue line, and switching to light rail systems instead. 
Richard Kessel was announced as the new president and chief executive of the New York Power Authority on Tuesday. After being replaced as chief executive of the Long Island Power Authority less than a year ago, Kessel's new position as head of NYPA, the country's largest state-owned electric utility features a substantially larger work force for Kessel to manage. Kessel mentioned in Newsday that his priorities include expanding the transmission system, cooperating with an attorney general probe of NYPA, and bolstering renewable energy. He plans to focus on the upstate region, and has said that he is thrilled with LIPA's new windmill proposal with Con Ed. Kessel is expected to begin work on October 14th.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn has launched an innovative program that will score any new state road or bridge construction in green design. Green Leadership in Transportation and Environmental Sustainability (Green LITES) will grade each new project as certified, silver, gold, or evergreen. Ratings will be based on four categories: site selection, water-quality and air-quality protection, waste minimization, and overall innovation. Essentially, this program is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification for roads. Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes Vazquez said, "The Green LITES program fully embraces the principles of smart growth, which integrate land use and transportation planning to reduce automobile travel and fuel consumption, minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, and enhances our quality of life…The Department of State applauds this initiative. It is fast becoming clear that smart growth is smart energy policy."
On July 24th, the federal minimum wage was increased from $5.85 to $6.55 an hour. On July 24th, 2009 that rate will increase to $7.25. In New York State, the minimum wage is currently $7.15. While minimum wage workers are happily accepting their new pay, this raise is not nearly enough to account for the rapid price increases of the past several months. Inflation has risen 10.6% over the last quarter. From gas to food to healthcare to housing to transportation to energy costs, seven bucks simply isn't going to cut it. The Labor Department's inflation calculator tells us that the adjusted minimum wage 40 years ago was $10.06.|
New Grants Available for TOD and Main Street
To view the New York Main Street Program Fall 2008 Request for Proposals and Program Guidelines, visit their website here. Contact the Office of Community Renewal at 518-474-2057 if you have any questions. Tri-State Transportation Campaign Introduces Community Assistance Grant
The Tri-State Transportation Campaign also announced an online transit-oriented development “clearinghouse” with resources and tools to help guide transit-oriented development projects and supplement the grant program. For more information about the program and to the view the clearinghouse, please visit TSTC’s website www.tstc.org. Letters of interest for the grants are due October 25, 2008. |
While Wall Street scrambles to find money and many banks have empty safes, the New York State Office of Community Renewal announced the availability of $6.4 million in New York Main Street Program funds. The 2008-2009 New York State budget included historic increases in funding for housing and community development programs. It provided $5 million in bonded capital to the NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation and they, in turn, added $1.4 million for the fall of 2008 funding round. All municipalities are encouraged to apply before the deadline of November 13, 2008 at 5PM EST. 
The Tri-State Transportation Campaign formally introduced a new community assistance grant program that encourages transit-oriented development in New York State. The new grant program is the result of a partnership between TSTC, One Region Funders’ Group (including Fairfield County Community Foundation, Long Island Community Foundation, New York Community Trust, Rauch Foundation, Surdna Foundation, Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, and Westchester Community Foundation). According to a statement from TSTC, up to ten small grants will be awarded across downstate New York and Connecticut; two to five grants will be awarded in New Jersey. All municipalities are encouraged to apply for the grants that will help fund visioning sessions, technical expertise, or other efforts that promote equitable, walkable development near transit.|
Protect the Lloyd Aquifer
Even though the bill was passed unanimously by the NYS Senate and Assembly back in June 2008, there are NYC lobbyists pushing hard for the Governor to veto it. Some NYC leaders want to use Long Island’s aquifer as a storage facility for their own drinking water by injecting 300-400 gallons of water per day into the Lloyd, where it can be stored, and then pumped out when needed. However, the impacts of these outsides sources could have disastrous effects such as unseen chemical reactions when the Lloyd's pristine water meets dissolved nutrients and bacteria in the treated surface water and potential pressure in the salt and freshwater interface that could cause stored fresh water to seep out into the estuary. So please, call the Governor at 518-474-8390 or write to him at David A. Paterson, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224 and tell him to protect Long Island’s sole source aquifer, our only source of drinking water, by signing bill S.1558/A.2986. For questions, please contact the Long Island Pine Barrens Society at 631-369-3300. Commerce Bank Boycott
The conflict began three years ago, when the owner of a 1.5 wooded acre parcel on Portion Road sold it to Commerce Bank, despite community and Town of Brookhaven plans to preserve the bucolic area for a 9/11 memorial. Community members pleaded with the bank to relocate from the site, but the Town Planning Board approved the construction plans in March, and soon after the bulldozers broke ground. Bank spokeswoman Rebecca Acevedo maintains that the bank worked “closely with the township and the community” in the planning process and will continue to do so in supporting a new plan for the memorial. Freedner and others in the community are duly skeptical of this claim, especially after the bank rejected any alternate bank sites and the Town Planning Board approved the plan, despite community opposition. “It’s a very sore issue in the neighborhood. The government and these corporation combined can really hurt a community.” Vision's Board of Directors has yet to take a formal position on this matter, yet we firmly believes in the rights of community organizations to fight for good planning, better building design, and proper community outreach. To boycott the bank, call 1-888-751-9000 and tell Commerce Bank about your plans to boycott. More information can be found on the Civic Association's website. |
Long Island needs your help to protect its aquifers and our drinking water! At this very moment, Governor Paterson is reviewing a bill to prohibit the storage or pumping of water from off of Long Island into our Lloyd aquifer (the deepest and cleanest source of drinking water on Long Island). Long Island is an EPA designated sole source aquifer, which means that nearly 3 million residents are dependent upon the purity of this water. This bill would ensure that outside sources of water wouldn’t contaminate our aquifer and potentially upset its delicate balance.
While Lake Ronkonkoma residents resign themselves to the fact that Commerce Bank will open its branch next year at their proposed 9/11 memorial site, they have also chosen not to end the resistance. According to 
"Going Green on Long Island" Documentary Released on WLIW 21 Airs This Weekend
Encore presentations of "Going Green Long Island" will be shown on Saturday, September 27 at 3 pm, late night Sunday, September 28 at 3 am, and Tuesday, September 30 at 1 pm on WLIW21. For more information visit or to view the documentary in its entirety, visit the Going Green LI website. Pine Barrens Research Forum Coming October 2nd-3rd
For more information visit their website and download a copy of the registration form here. Learn How to Go Green at RELI's Solar Tour and Green Buildings Open House on October 4th
The tour is free, but attendees must register for a visitor's pass. Registrants will gain access to an online map and description of all house locations, and will also receive a copy of LIGreenGuide, a consumer resource guide with a directory of green businesses and professionals on Long Island. To register, see Renewable Energy Long Island's website. Upcoming Public Workshops for NYMTC’s 2035 Regional Transportation Plan Come To LI October 6th and 7th
For more information, contact Jan Khan at 212-383-7251 or by email at jkhan@dot.state.ny.us. Housing Long Island's Young Adults event on October 16th
To discuss these matters and to work on reversing this trend, Action Long Island is hosting an event on Thursday, October 16th at 5:30pm at SUNY Farmingdale's Roosevelt Hall, Little Theatre. This rally will encourage young people to get educated on their options, and then to get their voices heard. The event is free but registration is required. Visit Action Long Island's website for details. For more information see the event's Facebook group. |
Vision has been asking its readers for several weeks now to participate in a survey measuring Long Islanders' carbon footprints. Now you can see the fruits of your labor with the WLIW 21 film "Going Green on Long Island." The documentary shows just how "green" Long Island is becoming, from Town initiatives like Green Levittown to the individual Long Island homeowners who've made their homes energy efficient with solar panels and wind energy generators. It also offers tips on how to reduce ones "carbon footprint,"
from "renewable energy to pesticide pollution and land and water preservation." Another segment focuses on Long Island farmers and the importance of buying local produce, featuring representatives from King Kullen and the Long Island Schmitt farming family. Participants included Neal Lewis, Director of the Neighborhood Network, Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Long Island, Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment and many other supporters of Smart Growth on LI. 
The Thirteenth Annual Pine Barrens Research Forum will be held on Thursday, October 2nd and Friday, October 3rd at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton. The 2008 Forum theme is "Current Challenges and Future Solutions"
and is sponsored by Brookhaven National Laboratory, the Central Pine Barrens Commission, the Long Island Groundwater Research Institute at Stony Brook, and the Foundation for Ecological Research in the Northeast (FERN). As with last year's Forum, the Program features a balance of speakers from the New York metropolitan area and around the nation, covering research, technical, and applied science topics. 
The event's national speakers hail from the U.S. Forest Service, the University of Pittsburgh, the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, and NYS DEC's Albany office. Speakers from the New York metropolitan area come from the Suffolk County Health Department, Dowling College, St. John's University, Brooklyn Botanic Garden and East Hampton Town. Welcoming remarks will be provided by Chairman Scully of the Pine Barrens Commission, Dr. Aronson of Brookhaven Lab, and Ms. Dikeakos of the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven Office.
Renewable Energy Long Island is hosting their 5th annual Solar Tour and Green Buildings Open House on Saturday, October 4th from 10am until 4pm. This self-guided tour will feature 75 open houses all across Long Island and aims to educate Long Island residents about the economic and environmental benefits of going green. The tour will show how to save energy in a home or commercial building, use green technologies like solar to cut electric and heating bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, find green building professionals and contractors, and receive LIPA rebates and tax credits of up to $42,000. 
A lack of affordable housing is a well-known problem on Long Island, and no demographic is hit harder than young adults. It is time that young people stand up and demand change in their housing options. Long Island is a great place to live and our housing stock cannot continue to refuse young adults, or the consequences for the Island's economy will be grim. |
Entry-level position available with New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund The New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF) is seeking a full-time Project Manager in their New York City office. NYLCVEF is a nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental organization. The position entails coordinating a strategic outreach effort to environmentally-minded voters in New York City, as well as increasing the visibility of the organization throughout the five boroughs. Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years relevant experience. The candidate must have excellent communication and time management skills, the ability to motivate others, a solid knowledge of New York City governmental structure, and an interest in the city's environmental issues. Salary is commensurate with experience, and benefits include health/dental, 401(k), and transit checks. To apply, send resume and cover letter to jobs@nylcv.org. Community Affairs Project Specialist position available at Newsday A new position is available at Newsday as Community Affairs Project Specialist. A new sponsorship-based project will connect Long Island residents who are interested in creating green lifestyles with companies that provide green products and services. The position requires a real go-getter with strong writing, proven project management skills, and an ownership attitude. The candidate must have an undergraduate degree in mass communications, public relations, journalism, or other related field, as well as a minimum 3-5 years experience including leading outreach initiatives in a community. For more information or to apply, email GSLIwriter@yahoo.com. |
|
Kerouac Sunday at Gunther's Tap Room in Northport
Admission to all the events and entertainment is free. Put it on Kerouac’s tab. For more information call 631-754-9659. Long Island Fair at Old Bethpage Village Restoration
Adults $10; Children Under 5 - Free; Children 5 to 12 - $7; Seniors (60+) - $7. The fair is located at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Round Swamp Road, in Old Bethpage and only one mile south of exit 48 of the Long Island Expressway. For more information visit www.lifair.org or email LIFAIR@LIFAIR.ORG |
In line with the stormy weather expected for this weekend, cozy up with the atmosphere and drinks at Gunther’s Tap Room on Sunday, September 28th, for a daylong tribute to the former Northport resident and author, Jack Kerouac. In celebration and tribute to the 39th anniversary of Kerouac’s untimely death, there will be a performance of an original one-act play, “Jack’s Last Call: Say Goodbye Kerouac,” at 3PM. The play is written by Massapequa playwright Patrick Fenton and directed by Ed Dennehy. Since 1996, local poet BG Cassidy has hosted the evening entertainment of poetry reading and music, which begins at 9PM. Gunther’s Tap Room, located at 84 Main Street in Northport, Long Island, is a historic site of its own as Kerouac’s legendary hangout spot. 
The Agriculture Society of Queens, Nassau & Suffolk Counties is one of the oldest agricultural societies in the United States and has sponsored the Long Island Fair since 1842. The fair is held every year on a reconstructed fairground based on the original one in Mineola and offers a multitude of entertainment and activities for all ages. Now through Sunday, September 28, from 10AM to 5PM each day, the Long Island Fair will feature corn husking contests, numerous concerts with traditional and old-time music, puppet shows, theatrical performances, contra dancing, mimes, juggling performances, magic shows, and old-time base ball games. All entertainment is done in the spirit of the 18th and 19th centuries, with historical costumes and activities. Enjoy local produce at the market and a range of animals at the fairgrounds.
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: |
