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THE 2009 SMART GROWTH SUMMIT IS REGISTER TODAY!
WORKSHOPS INCLUDE: State of the Towns and Villages
*We will also be introducing live blogging during the event* Vision Long Island is pleased to announce the 2009 Smart Growth Summit, to be held on Friday, November 20th from 8:00-3:00 at the Melville Marriott.
If you are interested in participating at any level or if you have any questions, feel free to contact our office at any time at 631-261-0242 or by visiting our website at visionlongisland.org. 
A registration form and flyer are available online here. We look forward to seeing you on November 20th!
Register Today! [ ] Visionary - $15,000 [ ] Leader - $10,000 [ ] Gold Sponsor - $5,000 [ ] Sponsor - $2,000 [ ] Seat(s) at $125 each
[ ] Visa [ ] Mastercard [ ] American Express. Card Number: _________________________________ |
WALK 97.5
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.
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WALK is a Long Island-based radio station, playing a variety of music while offering residents the opportunity to find out what's happening in their communities, through an interactive website and their station. We thank them for their support and efforts to highlight local culture.
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North Hempstead Helping Residents to "Age in Place"
Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, who describes the area as "a higher end market" which was pricey, but a great place "if you can afford to live there", also named other amenities that included the Harbor Links Golf Course, nature trails at parks like Sands Point Preserve, well-regarded hospitals, recreational facilities and a cultural cornucopia locally and in nearby Manhattan. For areas that still have less than 40% of the population over 60, North Hempstead enacted Project Independence four years ago. Aimed at allowing people to age in their own homes, the project has proven quite successful. Relying on state and federal grants, the program provides free transportation, home health monitoring, and eventually snow shoveling and handyman services for minor repairs. It also provides a social worker and a nurse at the senior center in Great Neck with plans to place new ones at Port Washington and eventually throughout the North Hempstead area. Mr. Kaiman also recently announced that the town would be adding new services to the 311-operator for elderly citizens of New Hyde Park, Great Neck, Port Washington and Westbury, allowing them to call in from 11 am to 2 pm for free taxi service to go grocery shopping or see a doctor. Citing a recent AARP study, Ms. Evelyn Roth, North Hempstead’s commissioner for the aging, indicated that between 80 and 90 percent of all seniors prefer to stay in the places where they've always lived. Their three biggest needs are transportation, followed by caregiver support and household repairs. By taking these facts to heart, North Hempstead has made great strides to keep their population in their homes and happy. Governor Paterson Signs Green Jobs/Green New York Bill into Law
“The workforce training that this bill supports will prepare New Yorkers to find jobs in the 21st century clean energy economy that we are building here in New York… so we can help New Yorkers secure jobs that help working families and businesses cut their energy bills while reducing greenhouse gas pollution,” said Governor Paterson. The bill also sets a goal to meet 45 percent of the state’s energy needs through efficiency and renewable by 2015. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was also present, noting that the new legislation will provide incentives for “homeowners, small business owners and not-for-profit agencies to undertake the energy efficiency projects that will reduce utility bills as well as greenhouse gas emissions.” The Assembly Speaker was also quick to note that this bill will provide a boost to slumping local economies throughout the state. The loans authorized by the new bill will be spread through the state based on need. Governor Paterson also took the opportunity to announce that $7 million, appropriated from the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), has been awarded to 11 counties and New York City in order to launch the new Green Jobs Corps Program. The Program authorizes local social services to provide job skill training and subsidized employment opportunities in “green industries” to people receiving public assistance and low-income individuals. The goal is to give participants the occupational skills necessary to get and maintain jobs in this fast-growing field. In order to create a centralized location for job seekers to find employment opportunities in the new green job sector, a new website has been launched that will showcase local training programs and green job opportunities. The Act will also direct the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to create revolving loans and green jobs training programs. The program, aimed at retrofitting existing structures in order to conserve energy, will be specifically targeting middle class homeowners and small businesses, which will have a loan cap of $13,000 and $26,000 respectively. Meanwhile, the job training component will focus on new entrants to the workforce and displaced workers and will be subject to a competitive procurement process available to community based-organizations. In order to fund all of this, NYSERDA will use part of the $112 million raised from the auctioning off of carbon emission credits through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This seed money will then be used to leverage private investment and move toward the goal of retrofitting one million homes over the next five years. It is hoped that the programs involved in this bill will combine job creation with environmentally friendly initiatives and place New York State at the fore-front of the new clean energy economy emerging nationally. |
North Hempstead is growing older. New Hyde Park alone contains two census tracts referred to as "naturally occuring retirement communities", where more than 40% of the population is aged 60 or older. Thanks to an ever growing amount of seniors settling in the area, the town has seen itself rise in prominence as a nationally desired place to retire. In fact, 
On Tuesday, October 13th, Governor Paterson held a signing ceremony at the New York State Weatherization Directors Association training center in North Syracuse to commemorate the signing of the new Green Jobs/Green New York Bill into law. |
Restore NY Grants for Downtown Riverhead
Projects will include the reconstruction of two underutilized properties into a five-story Hyatt Palace hotel and a two-story gallery and catering hall. The Town is also proposing to expand the Aquarium into a 6.5 acre site, adding about 140 permanent jobs and 150 construction jobs. These projects are intended to add up to 20% more visitors to the area, or about 480,000 people a year. The project costs about $20 million and construction is scheduled to be completed by May 2011. Read more at Long Island Business News. Yaphank Project to be Declared Surplus Property?
Legislator Kate Browning, who last month proposed the creation of an oversight committee for the project, has spoken out against the development. After the resolution was proposed, she emailed residents, urging them to voice their concern over the project and this vague resolution. Her email read, "Legislator Browning needs your support in stopping this resolution from getting the support in the legislature. Please contact all 18 legislators to express your concerns about selling this property before all information has been looked at, and prior to the public deciding whether the land should be sold." Legislator Dan Losquadro agreed, arguing that the County should have first declared the land surplus and then seek out developers. The County Executive disagreed with the legislators, defending the process he proposed by saying that his resolution included nothing on the RFP process. The $400 million project spans 250 acres in an undeveloped portion of the small Yaphank community. It includes 1,000 housing units, 785 of which are affordable and priced between $190,000 and $215,000. It also includes an arena and stadium, 30 acres of ball fields, a wellness center, restaurants, a hotel, retail and office space, a 95-acre light technology and light industry park, and a solar plant to power the community. The project has faced a great deal of public criticism from local residents, elected officials, the press and others. Huntington Station to get Rain Gardens
The project is a collaboration between Friends of Huntington Train Station, the Huntington Station Business Improvement District, and the Deck & Patio Company in Huntington Station. Kim D'Ambrosio of Friends of Huntington Train Station told Newsday, "Rainwater harvesting reduces polluted storm water runoff that goes into the sewage system and eventually into Huntington Harbor. It also reserves the aquifers underground clean water source intact for other needs and those of future generations.” |
In the third round of Restore New York grants, the East Main Street Urban Renewal Plan in downtown Riverhead will receive $2.4 million for several downtown revitalization projects. The grants were first announced in early September, but this Wednesday, a press conference in front of the Atlantis Marine World Aquarium hailed the grant money and its potential to help the downtown. Restore NY grants have been awarded to 79 projects across the state, totaling $153.6 million.
Last week, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy submitted a resolution to declare the "Legacy Village" parcel in Yaphank surplus property. However, according to several County legislators, the bill also approves the request for proposal process, which allows the County to choose developers and ultimately sell the property. In the case of Legacy Village, the developers have already been selected (Katter Development Company and The Beechwood Organization), prior to the site being declared surplus property. 
Huntington Station is slated to get a new Rainwater Harvesting System, located at the corner entrance of the north side of the Huntington train station. The project involves capturing rainwater, filtering it, and storing it for landscape irrigation. It includes a new walkway made of permeable pavers to replace the current walkway that is filled with overgrown tree roots. The Town appropriated up to $45,000 for the exterior improvements.|
Restore Nassau County’s Cuts to Long Island Bus!
Notably, Long Island Bus ridership reached an all time high of 33.1 million in 2008. What's more, according to the most recent census data, LI Bus riders make, on average, $20,000 less than commuters who drive alone to work and $62,000 less a year than those that commute via the Long Island Rail Road. The cuts originally stood at $2.8 million, and thanks to the Legislature, they were cut in half. Special thanks go out to Presiding Officer Diane Yatouro, Legislators Wayne Wink and Judi Bosworth for their firm leadership in restoring the cuts. Other legislators who were involved in the negotiations for restoration included David Denenberg, Jeff Toback, Denise Ford, and Norma Gonsalves. We apologize to any Legislator that we missed on this list, as there likely were numerous activities done without our knowledge with many more folks to acknowledge in this effort. While the restoration of half the cut is a welcome development, it likely means that LI Bus will face service cuts, fare increases or both in the coming months. We will keep you posted about any fare hike/service cut hearings that may take place. We understand that like the rest of the country, Nassau County faces economic difficulties. Revenues are down, while the demand for social services is rising. However, cutting the County’s contribution to LI Bus is the wrong way to balance the budget. Therefore, we propose three options for Nassau County to restore LI Bus contribution. In lieu of the $1.4 million cut to LI Bus, the Nassau County Legislature should consider the following:
We urge you to call the County Executive’s office at 516-571-3131. Tell him that you oppose these cuts and want to see the full amount restored: it is not fair to balance the County budget on the backs of bus riders particularly when there are other items in the budget that can be cut. In addition, call your Nassau County Legislators and thank them for restoring half of the cuts. We’ve still got a long way to go, however, and we need to keep the pressure on the County Executive to fully restore the cuts. |
Over the past month, Tri-State Transportation Campaign and Vision Long Island, in partnership with LI Bus riders and other non-profit organizations, have opposed Nassau County’s cuts in its contribution to the LI Bus system. The proposed cuts would balance the budget on the backs of those that can least afford it. Currently, the cuts stand at $1.4 million.
In addition, cuts to the nation’s largest suburban bus system run counter to the County Executive’s vision of a "New Suburbia," of which a transit component is integral, and will only hinder our economic recovery, degrade our environment and reduce our quality of life. October 24: International Day of Climate Action events
Celebration of Suburban Diversity: October 22
The event will take place from 6-10pm at the Sandra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus at Hofstra. Fair Media Council Presents Connection Day on October 22
Sponsorships, exhibit booths and individual tickets are on sale now. Tickets include three workshops, networking breaks, admission to all media exhibits, continental breakfast, luncheon with the keynote speaker, and a 2009-2010 Fair Media Council Media Guide. To make a reservation, become an event sponsor or an exhibitor, please call (516) 224-1860, Ext. 103 or email fran@fairmediacouncil.org. For details and to sign up online, go to their website. The Fair Media Council is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that advocates for quality local news coverage and educates the public to become media savvy. About 200 New York businesses are members of the 30-year-old organization. To join the businesses and non-profit organizations that comprise the Fair Media Council and advocate for quality local news, log on to www.fairmediacouncil.org. Tri-State Transportation Campaign's 2009 Annual Benefit on October 29
Meeting on Employee Stock Ownership Program on October 29
The state Labor Department has retained the services of a renowned expert on ESOP, Mr. John Logue from Kent State University, who will share his experiences working with this program for many years. He will be joined by Bruce G. Herman, Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development, as well as some area businesses that have successfully transitioned into an ESOP. They will be on hand to share their stories and answer questions. The Long Island meeting, which is sponsored by the Connect Long Island, is scheduled for Thursday, October 29 from 10am–12pm at Carlyle on the Green, Bethpage State Park, 99 Quaker Meeting House Road in Farmingdale. Please contact Barbara Kruczkowska at 631-687-4858 or via email by October 22 if you and/or members of your staff are able to attend. Taking Care of Business: The Long Island Not-for-Profit Fiscal Conference - October 30th
Tickets are $25 and include breakfast and lunch. A complete conference schedule can be found on the conference website. For more information you can also contact Tony Manalo at 212-785-0100 ext. 921 or e-mail rsvp@ncheng.com. Long Island North Shore Heritage Area Meeting on November 18
The Annual Meeting begins at 7pm, but come early to participate in a tour of the historic Whitman House at 6:30pm. Please RSVP for both the meeting and the pre-meeting tour either via email formor by phone at (516) 492-6064. |
There will be many events around the world on October 24th in an effort to influence world leaders to act decisively on climate change. The organizing website, 
Save the date! On October 22nd, the Celebration of Suburban Diversity 2009 Committee and the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University present the Celebration of Suburban Diversity, an inspiring evening in conjunction with Hofstra's major international conference: The Diverse Suburb: History, Politics, and Prospect." 
The Fair Media Council’s annual Connection Day on Thursday, October 22 from 8am to 4pm at the Long Island Hilton will draw together about 100 reporters, editors, social media experts, and communication professionals to present a variety of educational workshops to the public. The only major conference in the country that brings the public together with the media for a day of open dialogue, networking and professional development, FMC’s Connection Day draws about 600 participants from the metro area. This educational event features 22 workshops, an exhibition hall, networking breaks and a luncheon with a keynote speaker. “Adding to all the excitement this year will be news outlets blogging live from the scene and radio stations conducting interviews with area politicians,” said Fair Media Council Executive Director Jaci Clement.
Tickets are now on sale for the Tri-State Transportation Campaign’s 2009 Annual Benefit, "Changes Taking Root," which will take place on October 29, from 6pm to 8:30pm at The Gates on 290 Eighth Avenue in Manhattan. TSTC will be honoring Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey for his work in winning federal approval for the Access to the Region’s Core project and his leadership in connecting land use and transportation. Aaron Naparstek of Streetsblog and Clarence Eckerson of Streetfilms will be in attendance as TSTC honors their organizations for consistently being at the forefront of transit, pedestrian, bicycling, and livable community issues and filling a critical gap in a changing media landscape.
As part of its continuing efforts to assist businesses struggling in today's economy, the New York State Department of Labor will be holding a series of meetings across the state to discuss layoff aversion efforts. One of the tools to be discussed in detail is the Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP). ESOP is an option for small-to-mid size companies in distress, or those facing succession planning issues. It has been proven to be to be an effective tool in helping to retain businesses in our state.
On Friday, October 30th from 8:30am-4pm at SUNY Old Westbury's Campus Center, come to a one day fiscal “best practices” update, training, and immersion experience just for Executive Directors and Board Members of small to mid-sized not-for-profit organizations on Long Island, with no "accountantese." The speakers are accounting professionals and experts and will provide expertise digestible language. The instructors are highly regarded certified public accountants from the NYS Society of CPAs, members of the accounting faculty from SUNY College at Old Westbury’s School of Business, and financial management experts from N. Cheng & Co. They will be joined by Lou Grumet, Executive Director of the NYSSCPA, and keynote speaker Calvin O. Butts, III, President of SUNY College at Old Westbury, in covering the most pressing topics facing not-for-profit leaders today. Get answers to the questions you have always wanted to know but were afraid to ask and hear information on the topics you want and geared entirely towards “non-accountants.”
The Long Island North Shore Heritage Area presents their annual meeting on Wednesday, November 18th at the Walt Whitman Birthplace (246 Old Walt Whitman Road in South Huntington). The group works on preserving, protecting, and enhancing our cultural, historical, and natural resources. 
The Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District Management Association is currently seeking Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) from New York State licensed design professionals (architecture, landscape architecture and/or engineering) to undertake full design and construction administration services for a “Rain Garden” to be located along the public sidewalk in the Village of Manorhaven’s main commercial corridors of Manorhaven Boulevard and Shore Road.
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Garden City Fall Festival Street Fair
This is a great event with tons of community participation, taking place on Seventh Street in Garden City. Jack's Last Call: Say Goodbye to Kerouac in Northport on Saturday
Peter Gunther, a friend of Kerouac's, and the owner of the bar, recalls that one night "when Jack was broke he gave me as a tip, a signed first edition of one of his books, 'Visions of Gerard.'" Regretfully, not realizing its future value, he says, "I don't remember who it was, but I gave it away to someone." The play will take place this Saturday, October 24 from 2-3:30pm. No reservations required but seating is limited so come early. The event is free. For more information, call (516) 658-0423 or email jackslastcall@gmail.com. Gunther's is located at 84 Main Street in Northport Village. |
This Saturday, October 24th, from 10am-3pm, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce presents the 30th Fall Festival Street Fair. Featured events include powerhouse entertainment, Wintuk performers from Cirque du Soleil, The Fivestone Band, two kiddie trains, the Money Cube (kids keep all they can catch!), an inflatable bouncy castle, sidewalk sales, and tons of food. The Street Fair also includes Garden City High School's Homecoming Parade at 11:30.
October 21st this year marked the 40th anniversary of the passing of one of America's great literary figures - Jack Kerouac, beat author best known for his seminal novel, On the Road. In tribute to the writer, a return performance of an original play about his last night on Long Island will take place at Gunther's Tap Room, a downtown saloon that the once-Northport resident drank and played pool in during the early 60s. |
From Streetsblog: 
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SMART GROWTH NEWS Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Director of Communications 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: |
