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RBA Group
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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RBA Long Island is a multi-disciplined office providing design, planning, landscape architecture, environmental and engineering services. They have been Smart Growth supporters and we thank them for their efforts.
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The 7th Annual Smart Growth Summit
Thursday, November 13th, 2008
Please join us for the 2008 Smart Growth Summit. This event represents the culmination of the six previous Summits. Its format is being enhanced to include improved interaction and profiles of best practices in Smart Growth and land use planning. For those of you who have attended in the past- you know the inherent value of this event; for folks who have not yet participated- you will not be disappointed.
Workshops include: Affordable Housing in a Changing Market, Global Warming & Clean Energy, Sewers and Infrastructure, Downtown Revitalization, Transit Oriented Development, Taming the Big Box, Regional Planning, and Changing Demographics. Technical Worksessions include: Light Imprint Urbanism, Visioning to Implementation, Land Use, and Transportation Coordination. In addition, by invitation only, there will be the second annual civic summit and a youth summit that will both be focused on how Long Island can better plan to meet its goals. Plenary sessions in the morning will focus on Town and Village leadership while the luncheon session will focus on New York State policies, regulations, and legislation. Schedule Announced 7:45-8:15 REGISTRATION 8:15-9:45 MORNING PLENARY: “STATE OF THE TOWNS & VILLAGES” 9:55-11:05 WORKSHOPS I Affordable Housing in a Changing Market Global Warming & Clean Energy on Long Island Sewers & Infrastructure Downtown Revitalization Developments of Regional Significance - Suffolk 11:10-12:20 WORKSHOPS II Transportation - Transit Oriented Development Taming the Big Box Developments of Regional Significance – Nassau Long Island 2035/LI Sustainability Plan 12:30-1:45 LUNCHEON Hon. Tom Suozzi, County Executive, Nassau Panel: Smart Growth in New York State 1:50-3:00 TECHNICAL SESSIONS Light Imprint Urbanism, Sustainability
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The 2008 Smart Growth Summit will focus on an array of workshops that are focused on current Smart Growth projects and emerging policies. Last year, we had over 700 Long Island leaders as it was literally a "who’s who" of land use and transportation planning for the region. This year we will have the leaders of the various Towns and Villages as well as a particular focus on State policies that can enable or inhibit Smart Growth planning. In this difficult market it is necessary to stay on the cutting edge, share experiences as to what is working as well as set goals as to where we need to go as a movement. 
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EXCESSIVE LANGUAGE Sometimes, in the effort to make a point, mistakes are made. A coalition of groups came together yesterday concerning pedestrian safety and public involvement in the planning of future NYS roadways. All things seemed to work at the event, where we had personal stories from varying communities, an open ear from NYS DOT in Albany, and healthy press coverage. Unfortunately, one member of the coalition, at the very end of the press conference, used the phrase that DOT has "blood on its hands." This phrase was quoted but unattributed in a Newsday article today. We need to make clear that while there can be considerable frustration with NYS DOT Region 10, no one is calling traffic engineers killers. Attached is a note of apology from one of the participating organizations:
Again, when you make a mistake, you need to own up to it. We live in an era where public discourse can be nasty, petty, and personal and we do not want to get off message with needless accusations. Unfortunately, that happened and we apologize. We have much to work on and hope we can all work productively to make NYS roads safer. Eric Alexander TSTC study used to leverage better DOT response On Long Island
According to TSTC's press release, "Representatives from three Long Island civic associations talked about dangerous roads in their municipalities and how Region 10 had ignored the need to consult with communities and to provide pedestrian accommodations. Debbie Felber of the Selden Civic Association described Region 10’s response to community concerns over Middle County Road in Selden: “We are finished with your road. We are moving on.” One stretch of Middle County Road has seen over 1,000 accidents in four years according to the Suffolk County police, she said." The final speaker was Heather Sporn, a DOT representative and senior policy adviser from Albany who was adamant about DOT Commissioner Astrid Glynn's commitment to Smart Growth and transit-oriented development principles. Unfortunately, there seems to be a disconnect between the DOT attitude in Albany and that of the Region 10 office. Eric Alexander ended the press conference by offering a challenge to Region 10: Vision Long Island and local civic associations will go through the capital reform projects that are on the books, and those that widens roads or otherwise make roads unsafe for pedestrians need to be redesigned. "We know the governor's looking for budget cuts," he concluded. For TSTC's coverage of the event, see their blog. Other coverage can be found in Newsday and on Long Island Buisness News' Spaced Out Blog. |
Earlier this week, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign released a study that showed the most dangerous roads in the region, as measured by pedestrian fatalities. Not surprisingly, the top two were on Long Island. Hempstead Turnpike topped the list with 15 deaths from 2005-2007, followed by Sunrise Highway with 12. Third were Manhattan's Broadway and 3rd Avenue at 10 apiece. The report also noted that the formerly dubbed "Boulevard of Death, "Queens Boulevard, reduced its fatalities from 17 in 1993 to 1 in 2007. This change can be attributed to safety improvements made by the DOT, including wider medians, longer crosswalk time, a reduced speed limit, better lighting and signage, fewer lanes (old ones replaced by new angled parking), and even a fence lining the sidewalks to reduce jaywalking.
On Thursday morning, Vision Long Island and TSTC held a press conference in front of the State office building in Hauppauge, using the study as a jumping off point for getting DOT support on road safety projects in Region 10. Speakers included Vision's Executive Director, Eric Alexander and TSTC's Executive Director, Kate Slevin, as well as several civic association presidents, including Deidre DuBato of the Mt. Sinai Civic, Debbie Felber of the Selden Civic, Erma Gluck of the Coram Civic. Also co-organizing the press conference were the Long Island Progressive Coalition and the Neighborhood Network.|
Town of Huntington holds Press Conference to support Open Space and Parks Bond
It is important to note that extending the bond will cost taxpayers an average $12 per year. The press conference organizers are working hard to promote the vote by distributing flyers, yard signs, and recorded messages. The press conference urged to vote "yes" next week on proposition 2 for clean water, open space, and parks! Gordon Heights Fire Department Budget Hearing Attracks Voices of Supporters
The GHFD noted that the hearing was only to discuss the budget and invited the community to join them in an open forum that they will host to address concerns on November 12th at 7pm. The hearing will include representatives from different levels of local government as well as fire district representatives. The hearing will take place at the Gordon Heights firehouse on Hawkins Avenue. For a full story, see the article in the North Shore Sun. Archeological dig finds exciting results, prolongs bank opening
Much to the excitement of historians and residents alike, over 6,000 artifacts were found, including clay pots, ceramics, and bottle glass. This site was one of the first farms in the Town of Huntington and Deputy Northport Mayor Henry Tobin said, "the first documented slave in the Town was associated with that property." Although the site had previously been denied listing on the Register of Historic Places, it is now being recommended. The big question is: what happens next? The Northport Village Board has been arguing over the future of the Commerce Bank and the artifacts. The items on the property belong to the bank, so an idea was proposed that they could be put on display there. It is also likely that the destruction of the old structure and the construction of the bank will be prolonged until more decisions can be made. To read more about the Northport Village Board's meeting on this matter, see this article. |
On Monday morning 10/27, a press conference was held in support of the Town of Huntington's Open Space and Parks Bond, a measure that is up for a vote in next Tuesday's election as Proposition #2. Elected officials, including Supervisor Frank Petrone, community leaders, and other community representatives gathered in brisk weather at Veterans Park in East Northport to advocate for this important measure. The park's large upper field included stunning views and served as a demonstration of what must be preserved and enhanced. The Open Space and Parks Bond was created in 1998 and is set to expire this year. Proposition 2 extends the bond, rather than creating a new one. It serves as a great collaboration between the Town of Huntington and Suffolk County, who offer matching dollars for land acquisition. The bond has already served to expand the land use around Veterans Park: adjacent to the park is a construction site slated to become a "boundless playground" to serve a school across the street. Behind the site will be passive park land as well as two synthetic ball fields and other recreation space. This measure also helps to implement Huntington's comprehensive plan, Horizons 2020.
On ongoing two-year controversy regarding the future of the Gordon Heights Fire District has added yet another chapter. On October 21, the Gordon Heights Fire District held a public hearing to present the 2009 budget. The meeting drew a crowd of approximately 50 residents who listened to a review of the budget as well as presentations of inventory and new trucks that were purchased. Erton Rudder, Chief of the GHFD, explained that the new purchases were to keep up with state mandates and to replace trucks that had continuous and expensive maintenance problems. The GHFD, although a remotely small district, did adhere to NYS mandates while cutting their budget by $24,000.
With the sale of the former Cow Harbor Inn site in Northport, the site is slated to become a Commerce Bank. Along with some community resistance to the commercialization of their town at this strategic site at the intersection of Fort Salonga Road/25A and Main Street, the State put a hold on new development last year by ordering that an archeological dig be performed to see if any historic artifacts could be discovered. |
VOTE! Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th 6am to 9pm
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Tri-State Transportation Campaign Annual Benefit To Be Held November 6th
All event proceeds support the Campaign's work toward a more balanced, transit-friendly, and equitable transportation network in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. So come and support TSTC, your subways, buses, bike lanes, and rails! For ticket, sponsorship, and journal ad purchases, visit TSTC's website or contact Veronica Vanterpool at Vvanterpool@tstc.org or 212-268-7474. Dowling College Presents Intergenerational Conference on November 7th
Held at the Fortunoff Hall Ballroom at Dowling's Rudolph Campus in Oakdale from 8am-4pm, the conference includes a range of workshops and presenters, including Ron Stein, Vision's President. The event is sponsored by The Center for Intergeneration Policy and Practice at Dowling College in partnership with Intergenerational Strategies and the Long Island Intergenerational Network. Intergenerational Programs and Policy: From Vision to Practice has been designed by The Center for Intergenerational Policy & Practice at Dowling College, Intergenerational Strategies, and The Long Island Intergenerational Network, to bring together Long Island's community organizations and business community to create new intergenerational programs and promote public policies that meet the needs of all generations. For more information and to register online go to Dowling's website. LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives and UUC at Shelter Rock Present Populist Forum Featuring David Sirota on November 12th
The event is co-sponsored by Great Neck SANE/Peace Action, Code Pink LI, LI Veterans for Peace, Pax Christi LI, and the Social Justice Committee of UUCSR. There is a suggested donation of $5. For more information, contact the LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives at 516-741-4360 or longislandpeace.org and UUCSR Shelter Rock Forum at 516-627-6560, ext 122. Directions: From LIE, exit 35 north (from east) or 36 (from west). North 1-1/2 miles on Shelter Rock Rd. Entrance on left by white fence. From Northern Blvd. Go South 1/2 mile on Shelter Rock Rd. Entrance on right. |
Please join the Tri-State Transportation Campaign at their 2008 Annual Benefit on Thursday, November 6th from 6-9pm at the Midtown Loft at 267 Fifth Avenue in New York City. The event's guest speaker will be Congressman Jerrold Nadler, who represents New York's Eighth Congressional district, which includes parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Congressman Nadler currently chairs the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and is the highest-ranking Democrat from the Northeast on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. A stalwart mass transit ally, the Congressman supports rail projects, such as the Cross Harbor Rail Freight Tunnel, as one solution to increasing truck traffic.
On Friday, November 7, 2008, Dowling College will host an Intergenerational Conference that will focus on the policies and programs that bring elders and youth together. As more young adults and senior citizens leave Long Island in search of more affordable housing, or are forced into age restricted living environments, the gap between the generations widens, even as they share similar challenges. It is imperative for the region to develop creative ways to facilitate dialogue and collaboration between the generations to overcome these regional challenges such as affordable housing, public transportation, employment, and many others. The conference's workshops will offer solutions to encourage different generations to communicate with one another, care for each other and support public policies that unite across years.
On Wednesday, November 12th the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock will present a forum on "Uprising: An Unauthorized Tour of the Populist Revolt Scaring Wall Street and Washington," featuring writer David Sirota. Sirota is a political journalist, activist, columnist, and a two-time New York Times bestselling author who is widely known for his "tenacious focus on working class economic issues that are often ignored by America's political elites." Come to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, located 48 Shelter Rock Road in Manhasset at 7:30PM for a dynamic discussion of current events on Wall Street and in Washington and their economic implications for the working class.
Go Trick or Treating in Your Neighborhood
The Shining
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Enjoy a beautiful evening and take the kids (or yourself) trick-or-treating in your neighborhood. Check with your Town, as many Long Island downtowns also offer "Safe Halloween" festivities. It's a great opportunity to explore your community and can be a fun way to support your local downtown.
Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, the 1980 film "The Shining," starring Jack Nicholson as a tormented writer, screens at 8 pm at the 
Members of Straphanger's Campaign made their annual trick-or-treat visit to the MTA's board meeting on Wednesday. The transit-advocacy group delivered custom-made fortune cookies to the board members. Here are some of the messages: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: |
