The issue of bus service for the Elmont, North Valley Stream and South Floral Park communities is of life altering importance. Hundreds of riders (college students, working families, women and seniors) line up hourly on Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont Road, Meacham Avenue, Dutch Broadway, Linden Boulevard and Central Avenue each and every day to use the bus as a lifeline.
In the ongoing saga of Long Island Bus service and its pending sale to Veola Transportation, the deafening silence around negotiations between the County and the Private Company have residents living in perpetual fear.
Many riders have rented their apartments and homes based upon bus access. For many people in the private sector, Long Island Bus is the connector to the NYC Subways, Nassau Community College and hubs taking them to their jobs or schools each and every day. The silence from the Republican controlled County government can be summed in one word. UNACCEPTABLE!
Elected officials have a responsibility to take a stand, be open in their convictions on how they see an issue and how they will vote. Clearly, Long Island Bus service is not only an economic development issue that impacts our local economy, it is a social justice issues.
Elmont.org has attended numerous community meetings, hearings and planning sessions on Long Island Bus. Just a few weeks ago, “The Peoples Hearing” was held at the Ethical Humanist Society in Garden City NY. There, hundreds expressed their concerns over the future of Long Island Bus.
Sitting at the dais standing up for Long Island Bus was a Bipartisan Coalition of Legislators. That is as it should be Democrats and Republicans working together on issues important to the lives of their constituents. In fairness to all who attended, Elmont.org wants to state clearly which legislators stood together in a bipartisan fashion on this issue.
The elected officials who supported the people of Nassau County on Long Island Bus service were:
Democrat Legislators: Judy Jacobs, David Dennenberg, Wayne Wink, Judy Bosworth, Robert Troiano and State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel’s office.
Republicans Legislators Denise Ford and State Senator Jack Martins.
After the hearing and the lack of press coverage on this important issue, Elmont.org believes it is necessary to shine the light on this issue so that the people know where our elected leaders stand. So that all our readers are clear on this issue, numerous Elmont Civic Leaders, students and candidates for office were in attendance at this meeting.
| Rating | Member | Public Statements | Activities |
| B+ | Senator Skelos | Supports the LI Bus Riders Bill of Rights | Supported State Senator Jack Martins’ 7 million dollar infusion of Senate funding to keep bus service intact during a shutdown. Skelos has been openly critical of the lack of information regarding the future of LI Bus |
| A | Senator Martins | Supports the LI Bus Riders Bill of Rights | Spoke at Citizens Hearing for LI Bus at the Ethical Humanist Society, Held Press Event on Issue and Delivered $7 million dollar infusion of Senate Funding to Keep Buses rolling during a shutdown. Lastly, Martins has been outspoken about the lack of information to residents about the negotiations between Veola and Nassau County. |
| F | Assemblyman Ed Ra | None! Has not stated a position and did not attend Citizens Hearing | None! No deed and has not supported Long Island Bus. |
| D- | Legislator John Ciotti | None at Legislature! In civic meetings, gives tacit support but does not commit to standing up to Presiding Officer Peter Schmidt in an effort to fight for the community. | None! No deed and has not given support to Long Island Bus. Did not attend Ethical Humanist Society Meeting “Citizens Hearing.” |
| F | Councilman Ed Ambrosino | None! Has not stated a position and did not attend Citizens Hearing | None! No deed and has not supported Long Island Bus. |
| F | Councilman James Darcy | None! Has not stated a position and did not attend Citizens Hearing | None! No deed and has not supported Long Island Bus. |
| A- | Candidate Carrie Solages | Spoke in favor of LI Bus at Ethical Humanist Society Meeting and has stated his support of the community. Supports the LI Bus Riders Bill of Rights. | Attended hearing for Long Island Bus at Ethical Humanist Society and Spoke from the microphone at the “Citizen’s Hearing” where he stated his concerns and support for the riders. |
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After the disastrous move by the County Executive and the Republican Majority to close half of the police precincts in Nassau County, the Democratic caucus was successful in pushing Ed Mangano's back against the wall so that he gave us a signed guarantee that there would not be one less patrol car in any neighborhood. The agreement additionally stated that there would be more law enforcement personnel in all of the policing centers.
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