This is a quick-hit post from the Blog Box courtesy of Doug's laptop (thanks, Doug). This is important and needed to be discussed now; I will have a full piece about the issues we discussed either over the weekend or next week.
We had a meeting at the Lighthouse offices in RexCorp Plaza this afternoon. It was interesting for me since I haven't been to RexCorp Plaza since my Senior Prom earlier this decade...the place hasn't changed much.
Since the mainstream media has not covered the Lighthouse Project as extensively as many of us would have liked, the Lighthouse group has made a conscious effort to engage bloggers. Therefore, I found myself at the office with many other members of the NYI Blog Box getting an update on the Lighthouse.
Here is the main take-away for you guys - this public meeting at Town Hall on Tuesday is one of the two most important events for the public from here on out (the other is the upcoming public comments period). The Town of Hempstead, as I mentioned before, will adopt the final scope for review. What this means is that the Town of Hempstead will officially approve the list of questions that must be studied within the Lighthouse environmental review. This is a major step, and it's one of the last major hurdles that will be cleared.
To answer the good question day1fan (who was not being sarcastic or flip) asked: The Environmental Impact Statement - all 11,000 pages of it - is basically complete. The Lighthouse group and its consultants studied a dizzying array of issues related to the Lighthouse, and this means the Town of Hempstead is deciding which questions that were raised are important and should be included. It in essence clears the way for the statement to be submitted, and it will be submitted shortly afterward.
In addition, there may be a few more interesting developments before that day is over. You'll have to come and find out.
We had a meeting at the Lighthouse offices in RexCorp Plaza this afternoon. It was interesting for me since I haven't been to RexCorp Plaza since my Senior Prom earlier this decade...the place hasn't changed much.
Since the mainstream media has not covered the Lighthouse Project as extensively as many of us would have liked, the Lighthouse group has made a conscious effort to engage bloggers. Therefore, I found myself at the office with many other members of the NYI Blog Box getting an update on the Lighthouse.
Here is the main take-away for you guys - this public meeting at Town Hall on Tuesday is one of the two most important events for the public from here on out (the other is the upcoming public comments period). The Town of Hempstead, as I mentioned before, will adopt the final scope for review. What this means is that the Town of Hempstead will officially approve the list of questions that must be studied within the Lighthouse environmental review. This is a major step, and it's one of the last major hurdles that will be cleared.
To answer the good question day1fan (who was not being sarcastic or flip) asked: The Environmental Impact Statement - all 11,000 pages of it - is basically complete. The Lighthouse group and its consultants studied a dizzying array of issues related to the Lighthouse, and this means the Town of Hempstead is deciding which questions that were raised are important and should be included. It in essence clears the way for the statement to be submitted, and it will be submitted shortly afterward.
In addition, there may be a few more interesting developments before that day is over. You'll have to come and find out.
I know times are tough right now, and many of you may not be able to make it. However, for anybody who could legitimately make it, I hope you will be there:
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Time: 10:30 AM
Place: Town Hall, Nathan Bennett Pavilion - One Washington Street, Hempstead, NY, 11550
It would be best to wear professional attire to show we are serious and to not play into the Town of Hempstead's stereotype that all supporters are merely "Islanders fans."
I hope to see all of you on Tuesday. Your Island needs you.
I welcome your thoughts in the comments section. As always, don't forget to sign the petition and pass it on. I welcome your feedback at lettherebelighthouse@gmail.com.
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Time: 10:30 AM
Place: Town Hall, Nathan Bennett Pavilion - One Washington Street, Hempstead, NY, 11550
It would be best to wear professional attire to show we are serious and to not play into the Town of Hempstead's stereotype that all supporters are merely "Islanders fans."
I hope to see all of you on Tuesday. Your Island needs you.
I welcome your thoughts in the comments section. As always, don't forget to sign the petition and pass it on. I welcome your feedback at lettherebelighthouse@gmail.com.
Reminder: White-out for the Lighthouse this Saturday, 2/21, at Nassau Coliseum. Wear a white shirt in support of the Lighthouse.
nick, if you attend do you have to speak at the town board meeting? i'd like to come but i'm not much into public speaking. also, how long will the meeting last?
ReplyDeleteI took a look at the calender for the town hall meeting next tuesday, didn't see anything on the agenda to discuss the lighthouse project>?
ReplyDeleteTrust me, it will be discussed, and you don't have to speak. It should end no later than noon and would probably take about an hour.
ReplyDeletethanks nick. i'll try to make it.
ReplyDeletegreat job Nick. Don't think I can make it but I'll try. My boss is being a jerk lately.
ReplyDeletenick. i am not being sarcastic or flip here, but are you saying that now, after all this time, they are first going to determine the issues within the review that need to be focused on?
ReplyDeletei hope i am just a grapehead and am simply missing something here.
" ...the Town of Hempstead will officially approve the list of questions that must be studied ..."
yikes!
Day1 - thank you for raising that because I didn't explain it as clearly as I could. My answer to you is in bold text in the post to make it more visible.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick, that does help. By the way, I have been one of the skeptical ones about the project, very leary and gloomy about its prospects. But I do sense something has changed (maybe stirred the pot is appropriate) and a confluence of factors are beginning to drive this whole thing to resolution. One which for the first time in a long while I have some hope will be a positive one. Also, you're doing a good job and a good thing with this.
ReplyDelete