Dear Resident:

The cornerstone of representative democracy is the public participation of our fellow citizens.

As your representative on the Hempstead Town Board, I am proud to join my fellow Town Board Members to start the public hearing process on the proposed rezoning of Hempstead Turnpike. The first of several anticipated hearings will take place at Town Hall on January 24, 2012. The hearing will take place at 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York and is scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM.

In a December 29, 2011 letter to Floral Park resident McDonald, Town Supervisor Kate Murray affirms her position on Belmont Racetrack.   "I remain poised to confront prospective casino plans that would impact Floral Park with the same determination and protective nature that surrounded my opposition to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for a third LIRR track."  The Letter Here

With state and local elected officials saying diametrically opposite things to Floral Park and Elmont residents, what are Elmont resident to believe?

Elmont – NY.  Hempstead Town Supervisor, Kate Murray, and Councilman Edward Ambrosino took time out to pen a letter to Elmont residents announcing a Town board hearing on January 24th at 10:30 a.m. where “a dynamic new zoning proposal that will support growth and prosperity along Hempstead Turnpike” will be discussed.

At around the same time the Murray – Ambrosino letter arrived in Elmont mailboxes, the town turned over the proposed zoning documents (Conceptual Map and Proposed Zoning Amendments) to local business owner and East End Civic Association Member Muzzio Tallini.  Mr Tallini had submitted a FOIL requesting access to the documents last month.  In an email (excepted here) to members of the community Mr. Tallini said “I have compared it [the propose re-zoning] with previous versions and this document was changed in 1 critical area, specifically it removed residential over retail as a permitted use.  Permitting mixed-use along Hempstead Tpke was:

1. Supposed to becenterpiece of the rezoning;
2. Mentioned in the Elmont Vision Plan repeatedly;
3. A fundamental principle of smart growth development; and
4. To begin constructing the typeshousing our young generation sorely need to stay.

Legislator Elect Solages
On LI Bus 

Please remember that the fight to Save LI Bus is still alive and we need your help.

After months of demands for a public hearing on Nassau County's plans to privatize its bus service, the County is finally giving riders a chance to voice their concerns. At 1pm on Monday, December 5, the Nassau County Legislature will host a public hearing on the proposed contract with Veolia Transportation. As it stands, the contract cedes too much power to a private company and leaves riders and transit workers vulnerable to fare increases and service changes. In fact:

--Veolia has the authority to determine service levels in Nassau County (rather than the county government or the transit authority).
--Riders and taxpayers could be subject to quarterly fare hikes, service cuts and demands for greater public subsidy.
--Riders and transit workers will have no voice on the Transit Advisory Committee.

On Monday, the Nassau County's Rules Committee approved the Veolia contract, and Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt indicated that he wants the Legislature to move swiftly on the matter. There may even be a vote immediately after the hearing, so be sure to come (1550 Franklin Ave, Mineola, NY) and make your voice heard!