According to Dan Gulizio the Town Board¹s chief planner, the visioning process is no better or no worse than simply getting input from people through a public hearing process. This from the planner from Islip Town where, civic and community input is non existent. Contrary to Gulizio¹s expressed opinion Visioning frees civic leaders and community members from simply reacting to bad developments. At public hearings the developer marches in with all his hired guns, presents a plan and it is up to the lay community to shoot holes in it. It is both an unfair and a negative process.

Visioning on the other hand marshals the talents of renowned planners, and combines their skills with the enthusiasm of communities which are desperate for change. Unfortunately, John LaValle and the four Town Board votes which he controls have been steadily backtracking on their support for these extremely positive processes. At the 12/21 Board meeting LaValle characterized the visioning process, which involve residents in the future of their communities, as of doubtful merit. In LaValle¹s words, ³Planning should be left to Town Planners.² The latest attack from the town came from John LaValle¹s chief of Staff who characterized the visioning process as ³a bunch of pretty pictures on a wall, and stated that the town is trying to convince Newsday to do a negative story on the Visioning Process.

Finally, John LaValle has introduced a resolution which would prohibit any architect, planner, traffic consultant or organization, such as Vision L.I., who worked with communities during the visioning process, from being hired by developers who¹s property is contained in the study area.

Such a resolution, serves only to place additional obstacles in the path of communities seeking change from development as usual. The community organizations have few guns in their arsenals, while developers and the town have many. LaValles, resolution simply serves to turn a battle into a massacre.

It is the visioning process which has given our community and communities like ours hope for the future. In Longwood we have kept that hope alive by raising funds to hire our own consultants. Without those funds generated by a community organization our vision would be at a near stand still.

I want to continue to reaffirm that the Longwood Alliance and its officers will do whatever it takes to insure that the community¹s positive vision is fulfilled.

"We sincerely appreciate the help which the Long Island Community Fund, and both Senator LaValle, and Assemblywoman Eddington has provided." stated Connie Kepert President of the Alliance.

For over two years the Alliance has been prodding the Town of Brookhaven, to stop the destructive forces of sprawl, which eats up open space, and results in increased traffic congestion. The Alliance has also been pressing the Department of Transportation which can take credit for designing one of the deadliest roadways in the state, to consider innovative traffic mitigation, and features which will increase the safety and efficiency of Middle Country Road.

"The Alliance will use these funds to improve the safety, efficiency, and connectivity of Middle Country Road, to redirect development into interactive centers, and to engage in a sustained effort to insure that the community¹s voice is heard on important planning and transportation issues." stated Connie Kepert, President of the Longwood Alliance.

To the community this represents not only the flaunting of environmental law, but a total disregard for the vision of an entire community. The location of this intensive facility, is simply, bad planning and the continuation of the haphazard development that currently characterizes Middle Country Road in Coram.

The Longwood Alliance is extremely disappointed in the decision of the court, which will impact negatively not only on our community, but on the clients of this huge warehouse type facility.

We are also disappointed in Suffolk Country which seeks to save money by centralizing services which should be located in smaller, convenient store front facilities.

Finally, we are disappointed with the Town of Brookhaven for approving this large sprawling facility.

In the end this setback will not deter us from our goal of improving the quality of life of all Longwood residents.

The Longwood Alliance, and local community residents were forced to file an Article 78 in May of last year under SEQRA. The Alliance's suit stressed that the Planning Board failed to take the required ³hard look² at the project, and that the issuance of the negative declaration and the site plan was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion and violative of Article 8 of the NY Environmental Conservation Law. Both the Town and developer Coram Equities attempted to use their financial and legal muscle to convince the court not to decide the Article 78 on its merits. The Court disagreed and declined to dismiss the case.

On Thursday of last week the Longwood Alliance was forced to go back to court to stop the decimation of the Coram Property. Coram Equities LLC apparently began clearing the site during the week of June 14th. The clearing was concealed behind a buffer of trees left by the developer. "At every turn the town and this developer has flauted environmental law.² stated Connie Kepert, President of the Longwood Alliance. ³The premature clearing of this property and the Town's continued disregard for environmental law, is simply the latest slap in the face for the communities of Coram, Gordon Heights and all of central Brookhaven²

³We will not sit by idly while the Town allows developers to use and abuse the working class communities of central Brookhaven.² stated Chris O¹Connor a board member of the Alliance.

The bulldozers have been stopped until the court can finally decide this issue on its merits.

Recently Michael Lynch of Boy Scout Troop 433, a senior at Longwood High School, found himself between a rock and a hard place: literally. As his service project for the Eagle Scout rank, he had taken on the task of adding a stone foundation to the historic East Middle Island schoolhouse in Bartlett Park in Middle Island. This 19th century one-room school was moved onto a cinder block foundation in 1995 from its original location near the Longwood Public Library. Preliminary estimates for the stone went to over $800. So Michael started asking for donations and soon he had more than enough to complete the job. Some of the stones came from Reliable Garden and Fence across the street; some came from Tom Lilly at Island Gardens. With the help of his troop, and several people who just stopped by, the schoolhouse now has a lovely stone foundation.

Michael gets a little help from his friends, and Suzanne Johnson of the Longwood Society for Historic Preservation, and Connie Kepert, President of the Middle Island Civic Association express their appreciation to Michael!

A developer has abandoned a proposal to build a $90 million theme park at the former Grumman site in Calverton. Riverhead Supervisor Phil Cardinale said last night.

Speaking at an informal community meeting in town hall, Cardinale told civic leaders he received a letter yesterday from a Realtor representing FRP Development Corp. saying that the company ³is pulling out of the agreement and will withdraw their application BEFORE THE APRIL 6 PUBLIC HEARING.² The letter said in part ³The project as presented was to be an asset to the Town of Riverhead. However, somewhere, somehow, something went awry.²

The company had said it would pay Riverhead more than $7 million for the 140-acre site and build a 180-room hotel and theme park. THE TOWN BOARD HAD RECENTLY TAKEN A CAUTIOUS APPROACH TO THE PROJECT, IN PART DUE TO TRAFFIC CONCERNS.

Thanks to all those who took action and wrote or sent e-mails concerning the detrimental traffic impact that this project would have had on the communities of Coram and Middle Island.

The NYSDOT has scheduled a planned widening of Middle Country Road at the intersection of Rt. 25 and Coram Mt. Sinai Roads in Coram. The DOT plans on widening the right turn lane east of the light just in front of the Davis House. The Department also plans on creating an additional lane west of the light at Coram Mt. Sinai Road. As of this writing we do not know if the trees in the front of the Davis House will be effected. No notice or input was sort from the community at large or from the MCRRP. This is yet another instance of the DOT moving forward with its plans with no input from the community. The L.I. region continues to make a mockery of the the Governor's effort to press for quality communities, and the idea of context sensitive solutions. The DOT has once again ignored the spirit of the law we are currently working to determine if they have also flaunted the letter of the law.

Overton Preserve Ripe with History

David Overton built his home around 1740 at the south end of the proposed Overton Preserve. As the storm clouds of the Revolution approached, the Overtons became patriots supporting the American cause. In 1780 it came to Washington’s attention that the British had stored 300 tons of hay at Coram to be used by the British Cavalry.

Suzanne Johnson, of Longwood’s Society for Historic Preservation, retold the story of the burning of the hay. “In one of the most daring exploits of the Revolution in Brookhaven Town General George Washington ordered the hay destroyed. The Americans led by Major Benjamin Tallmadge marched up Overton Road (they knew the Overton’s were patriots and they would be assured safe passage) passing the Overton farm. Overton’s youngest son Nehemiah joined the group and was the first to set the hay afire.” (David Mazza played the part of Nehmiah Overton for the reenactment.)

Turning Point

The burning of stores of British hay was a turning point in the battle for Long Island during the Revolutionary War. “This burning of the hay will mark the liberation of Long Island from another type of invading force, greedy developers who want to develop everywhere, at any cost.” stated Chris O’Connor, Suffolk Director of the Neighborhood Network.

“The truth is that development costs taxpayers money; money to educate children, build roads, money for additional police, sewage and water, but we don’t get to vote on these tax increases! Development is today’s, "Taxation without representation" stated Connie Kepert, President of the Longwood Alliance.

Burn the Lies!

Civic and environmentalists also put to the torch the lies distributed by developers to defeat the community preservation fund. “Most of us are outraged by the loss of a wonderful opportunity to acquire important pieces of open space in Brookhaven Town.. Because of the actions of developers we will not have the opportunity to vote on the CPF.” stated Kepert. Chris O’Connor stated, “We may have lost a battle, but this is a war that we will win.”

We hope that the moratorium will be used by the Town Board to insure that long range planning which will benefit all concerned will be conducted. At the same meeting the study area for the corridor was extended into Selden and Centerreach. See statement to town board made by the President of the Longwood Alliance, Connie Kepert. Moratoraum Extension

The Town of Brookhaven has finally gotten a commitment from the State to move ahead on the restoration of the historic Davis House. Initial restoration steps include replacing the tarp which covers the roof and examining the condition of the foundation.

The Davis House contains 17 rooms. The Town¹s tentative plans include hiring an on site care taker, opening a community room similar to the Neighborhood House in Setauket, and displaying artifacts found on the site. We were informed that the long awaited restoration should move ahead at a brisk pace.

Rick worked along with Architect Alex Latham, of ADL III Architecture. ADL III is working on placing some finishing touches on the work completed on the 16th. Their work will be available for community input at our next meeting on January 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the Longwood Library.

(Both Alex Latham, and Eric Alexander of Vision L.I. have demonstrated enormous dedication in moving the goals of smart growth forward on L.I. The Longwood Alliance thanks them for their time and indispensable advise.)

Rick, Alex, Eric, and Connie Kepert met with Town planners who informed them that the Town of Brookhaven has been meeting with the Department of Transportation (DOT), to discuss a plan for Middle Country Road through the Coram area. We were told by TOB traffic safety staff that, that plan calls for an arterial with design speeds which will destroy the community's vision of a safe, pedestrian friendly main street. We are in the process of scheduling a meeting with DOT staff, and Congressman Tim Bishop to discuss the Rt. 112 Middle Country Road intersection.

At this point the community will be able to overcome the obstacles placed before us by the DOT only if we can hire our own consultants. The Alliance is attempting to secure funding so that we may negotiate effectively with the DOT.

The Court disagreed and declined to dismiss, upholding the standing of all petitioners and underscoring that Connie Kepert the President of the Longwood Alliance appeared at the Planning Board hearings and expressed the environmental concerns addressed within the lawsuit.

The court did request that Suffolk County be made a party to the proceeding, and the Alliance has stated that they will be added as an additional respondent.

³We are pleased that the court will decide this case on it¹s merits, and we are hopeful that in the end the Planning Board will realize that they cannot disregard environmental law, and the county will understand that it can not force huge projects down the throats of communities.²

You can take part in the survey by going to http://www.walkbikeli.com and also learn more about the study and how you can get involved.

A number of new concrete islands, with cut-outs for trees, have been constructed in the parking lot during October. New waste receptacles have appeared on the sidewalk near the stores. They are the forerunner of the trees and benches which are also planned for sidewalks. Trees should be planted sometime in November.

Friendly's is moving into the south-most stores. Reconstruction and renovations began in October with the restaurant targeting its opening in December, before the new year begins. A hair cutting and woman's clothing store are also moving in soon, joining the new Auto Zone, Eckhart, e-Nails, Phil's Deli, Bagel One, Workout Express and the Wireless cell phone store.

The Renaissance Project successfully negotiated having a 40-foot wide courtyard created adjacent to Friendly's. This new area will give family and friends a new place to be outside together and enjoy the new shopping center - a welcome improvement to our ever-improving town of Middle Island.

With school now in session, it's a good time to remember school days of old in Middle Island. Take a look at the East Middle Island School No. 17, now located in Bartlett Park on Middle Country Road. Tim Hryvniak of Boy Scout Troop 244 in Rocky Point has just completed his Eagle Scout Service Project there, constructing an entrance platform and gravel path for the school. Members of his troop helped out, sawing, hammering, and digging. Tim also reinstalled the sign identifying the school, with a post donated by Reliable Garden and Fence. At the same time, his mom, Suzanne Johnson, a member of the Longwood Society for Historic Preservation, painted the shutters red, their original color.

Tim received tremendous support from Riverhead Building Supply who donated the construction materials, and the Middle Island Rotary Club. People who were using the park during the construction all commented that they look forward to peeking inside the little school someday. Michael Lynch, from Boy Scout Troop 433 in Middle Island, also plans to work at the school for his project, recreating the stone foundation.

Another potential project needs a Scout - rebuilding the original bell tower. We have the plans: all we need is a boy!