Greenport Juneteenth Celebration Saturday, June 15th

Long Island Morning Edition

Industrial development agencies, which grant tax breaks to expanding businesses, would be required to have representatives of unions and public schools on their boards of directors under a bill adopted by the NYS Legislature. James T. Madore reports on Newsday.com that the bill passed the state Senate in a 51-10 vote earlier this month after being approved by the Assembly, 128-19.

The bill is expected to reach Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk later this year for her signature or veto. “The governor will review the legislation,” her spokesman Justin Henry told Newsday this week when asked for Hochul’s stance.

The bill is among several introduced in the 2023-24 regular legislative sessions that proponents argue would provide much-needed transparency of IDAs and ensure their tax-break deals benefit unionized construction workers and public schools. Supporters include the state School Boards Association, the Fiscal Policy Institute, Reinvent Albany and the state AFL-CIO, an umbrella group of unions that includes New York State United Teachers.

“The working residents of Riverhead have had no say in whether or not these [tax] abatements are given, but we are all aware of the increasing tax burden,” said Colin Palmer, president of the Riverhead Central School District’s board of education.

Opponents of the legislation, including developers, IDAs and their trade group, the New York State Economic Development Council, argue that business expansions, job creation and additional housing for workers would be stymied.

The bill stipulates that the board of each of the state’s more than 100 IDAs have seats reserved for “a representative of a local labor organization and either a school district superintendent or a representative of a school board.”

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Montauk will see the introduction of mobile app-based paid parking at three downtown locations starting on Saturday, June 15…that’s tomorrow. Christopher Walsh reports on 27east.com that the initiative, as explained by East Hampton Town Councilman David Lys is about modernization of timed parking and its enforcement, as well as adding nontax revenue that he said will assist the town in providing other resources. Payment is via the ParkMobile app, with users able to pay by downloading the app and paying through an account; by scanning a QR code on the ParkMobile sign, or by text message. ParkMobile contact information will be on every sign erected at the paid parking locations. “Virtual permits,” also called sessions, will be issued and enforced through a vehicle’s license plate number, with users entering the zone in which they are parked, with zones listed on installed signs. The ParkMobile app is in use in East Hampton and Sag Harbor villages. Paid parking will be at locations near the Atlantic Ocean beach: on the east side of South Edison Street between South Elmwood Avenue and South Emerson Avenue, where there are approximately 19 spaces, and at spans on the north and south sides of South Elmwood Avenue between South Edison Street and South Essex Street, where there are approximately 20 spaces. The cost to park in these Montauk locations will be $25 for a four-hour session, and $35 for an eight-hour session. Sessions can be extended using one of the same methods used for initial payment. The cost to park at the Kirk Park Beach lot, where paid parking has been in effect for the past few years with attendants collecting the fee, will remain at $35 per eight-hour parking period, but will also move to the mobile app-based system. Cash will no longer be accepted at the lot. An attendant will be there this weekend only, Lys said. Vehicles with a valid town beach parking permit can park at all of these locations with no charge or daily time limit.

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Today is FLAG DAY 2024…it commemorates June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress determined the composition of the nation’s banner: “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

As posted by AP, President Woodrow Wilson issued a 1916 proclamation of June 14 as Flag Day and in 1949, President Harry S Truman signed the formal observance into law. And it falls during Flag Week, after another congressional dictum in 1966.

Although officially recognized nationwide, government services are still open on FLAG DAY and the mail still gets delivered. Only Pennsylvania marks it as a state holiday, allowing residents to stay home from work and school...and celebrate "Old Glory."

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The Southampton Town Board denied a zoning change this week with a vote that blocked a proposed 50-unit affordable housing complex that would have had 25 apartments for veterans from going forward. Joe Werkmeister reports on Newsday.com that board members cited traffic and environmental concerns before Tuesday's 4-1 vote and said the proposed location on County Road 39 in Southampton did not support the construction of the complex, which had been under consideration for years.

The 50 units, in what would have been called Liberty Gardens, would have carried a maximum annual household income restriction for tenants. “It’s a good idea but it’s in the wrong place,” Councilman William Pell said.

Ralph Fasano, executive director for nonprofit developer Concern Housing, said in a statement the town rejected the Medford-based organization's proposal “despite good faith efforts to address all legitimate traffic, water treatment, and logistical issues.”

He added: “The town voted down this plan to increase affordable housing and support veterans without allowing Concern or any project advocates to be present to rebut inaccuracies.”

The developer is reviewing legal options as a next step, Fasano said.

The board’s resolution also ended the environmental review for the project that spanned nearly three years, with a findings statement that said in part that “the proposed action does not meet the spirit and overall objectives of the Town of Southampton's long-term planning efforts.”

The zone change denied this week would have allowed an increase in residential density to build the development.

Several board members cited wastewater sewage treatment as a concern that wasn't adequately addressed.

Concern Housing, formerly Concern for Independent Living, has built dozens of single family and multifamily homes in the past 50 years, including four others that cater to veterans in Amityville, Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma and Brooklyn.

Board members on Tuesday noted they've taken several steps to address affordable housing, specifically after voters in November 2022 approved the new Community Housing Fund that generates money for affordable housing initiatives through a .5% tax on most real estate transactions.

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Early primary voting begins tomorrow statewide and will continue for nine days before the traditional primary Election Day on Tuesday, June 25. Michael Gormley reports on NEWSDAY.com that in a primary with potential implications regarding control of Congress, Democrats Nancy Goroff and John Avlon are vying for the party nomination in the 1st Congressional District…which includes the east end…to take on first-term Rep. Nick LaLota, a Republican, in November.

Primary voters also will cast ballots in five Democratic races for state Senate and Assembly in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Town Democratic primaries are also scheduled in Riverhead and Shelter Island. There are no Republican primaries.

Early voting begins Saturday, June 15th and extends through Sunday, June 23.

Primaries are for registered voters who are enrolled in a political party. This year, only Democrats have primaries.

Any eligible voter may vote at any early polling place in their county. Wherever in the county a voter seeks to cast an early ballot, the voter will be provided a ballot that contains only the races for which they are eligible to vote, based on their residence.

On the traditional primary day, June 25, voters must cast ballots at their designated polling site. A voter may look up his or her voting sites at: https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/

A New Yorker may register to vote at his or her local board of elections or at most state agencies on any business day. But to be eligible to vote in the primary, prospective voters must have their application for registration received by their local board of elections no later than Saturday.

A voter seeking to change his or her party’s enrollment for the primary must have submitted an application to change party enrollment at their local board of elections no later than Feb. 14, according to the state Board of Elections.

In Suffolk County, the early voting sites are at the Rose Caracappa Senior Center in Mount Sinai, Brookhaven Town Hall in Farmingdale, Suffolk County Board of Elections office in Yaphank, Manorville Fire Department, Robert Reid Recreation Center in Shoreham, Greenlawn Fire Department, Huntington Library Station Branch in Huntington Station, Dix Hills Fire Department, Kings Park High School, Nesconset Elementary School, Riverhead Town Hall, Shelter Island Youth Recreation Center, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Westhampton Beach, State University of New York at Stony Brook in Southampton at the Student Activity Center, Windmill Village in East Hampton and the Southold Town Recreation Center in Peconic.

In Suffolk County, early voting sites will be open:

• Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Thursday from Noon to 8 p.m.
• Friday, June 21, from Noon to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday, June 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For Suffolk County voters: https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/BOE or by calling 631-852-4500.

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Juneteenth, the anniversary of the day enslaved people in Texas learned that they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation is a federal holiday which is next Wednesday, June 19. This coming Saturday, June 15th, the Village of Greenport will host a day-long celebration beginning at 10 a.m.

The event, organized by Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church, Coming to the Table, and the Southold Anti-Bias Task Force, will start at the church at 614 Third Street at 10 a.m., with remarks by Pastor Natalie Wimberly. A parade will progress to Mitchell Park at 11 a.m., followed by a day-long celebration with music, dance, poetry and yoga. At 2 p.m., the newly opened North Fork Arts Center will host a screening of the documentary “Juneteenth: Freedom and Faith,” followed by a panel discussion.

That’s the JUNETEENTH celebration tomorrow in Greenport.

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For the first time in its 22-year history, OLA (Organización Latino Americana) of Eastern Long Island has secured a place in the New York State budget, ensuring the advocacy organization will receive $50,000 in state funding to support its teen mental health program, Youth Connect, during the 2024-25 fiscal year.

NYS Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., of Sag Harbor, who was instrumental in helping OLA secure this line item, has also allocated an additional $50,000 in discretionary funding to support OLA’s ongoing work to improve access to mental health services for youth and families, for a total of $100,000 in support for this fiscal year.

“I am deeply honored to stand alongside OLA of Eastern Long Island as they tirelessly strive to create a more just and inclusive community for Latino immigrants on the East End,” Thiele stated. “By advocating for equitable policies, offering vital legal representation and support, and empowering youth through education and arts programs, OLA is fostering a stronger, more vibrant, and united community that celebrates the rich diversity and contributions of its residents. I am thrilled to have allocated $100,000 to support OLA’s invaluable work, knowing that it will directly contribute to the positive impact they are making in the lives of individuals and families in our community.”

Launched in 2022, OLA’s Youth Connect is a program for all East End youth, Latino and non-Latino alike. A bilingual prevention-focused crisis counseling program, it provides East End adolescents (middle- and high school-aged youth) with access to immediate support and guidance in Spanish or English through an anonymous, confidential helpline that local youth can text or call seven days a week to speak with a trained crisis counselor. In addition to staffing the helpline, Youth Connect’s crisis counseling team delivers interactive presentations and workshops in English and Spanish in middle schools and high schools, which have overwhelmingly welcomed Youth Connect in all five East End towns.