By VICTORIA A. CARUSO
Through the joint council, issues such as Freeport Village's diesel Power Plant No. 2 and widening of the Southern State Parkway, as well as zoning problems, land preservation and cell-phone technology can be handled more efficiently and effectively, council leaders say.
According to Vicky Rosenberg, joint council chairperson and president of the Seaford-Wantagh Homeowners Association, the South Shore Joint Civic Council results from need.
"The difficulties facing our communities know no boundaries, and if something impacts one community, it impacts others," said Rosenberg. "The chambers cannot do this, and it isn't up to the Kiwanis or Lions clubs either. The only way to combat these issues is for the civics to join together and take responsibility for where we live."
Rosenberg also said that since each community has had different experiences with different problems, joining together will enable the associations to assist one another. "Some of us have done some of it, but none of us have done all of it," she said. "Together, there is strength in numbers."
Michele Walsh, president of the Central Merrick Homeowners Association and a joint council board member, agreed, saying, "We all have different experiences. Working together will enable us to be heard."
Richard Schary, a council trustee and member of the North Bellmore Civic Association, said a combined group of this nature is long overdue. "For many years, this area has lacked strong civic leadership," said Schary. "The [joint council] will serve as a unifying force for the civics. Joining together will enable the civic association to become a more powerful and influential force in their communities."
Board member Marge Congello, president of Central Bellmore Homeowners Association, said, "When people who care about their communities come together, it builds up strength. Whenever there is an issue of concern in one neighborhood that can have an impact on another, it is easier to take a stand when all the civics join together."
The South Shore Joint Council of Civic Organizations comprises the Central Bellmore Homeowners Association, North Bellmore Civic Association, Central Merrick Homeowners Association, Merrick Gables Association, Merrick Park Home Owners Association, Old Lindenmere Civic Association and Seaford-Wantagh Homeowners Association.
Membership in the Joint Council of Civics will be open to all South Shore homeowners associations, from Valley Stream to the Amityville border and as far north as Hempstead Turnpike, including towns such as Oyster Bay and Farmingdale. Membership for civic groups from East Meadow, south Freeport, Levittown, Massapequa and Uniondale are now in negotiations.
Joining together will provide homeowners with an umbrella group for representation. At the same time, local civics will not lose their independence. "We will be an association that will be large enough to help one another, but will still be able to maintain our own voice in our communities," said Barry Fox, co-president of the Merrick Park Home Owners Association. "No one will have to give up their independent status."
For more information, visit the South Shore Joint Council of Civic Organizations Web site at www.southshorecivics.org.
