In the name of development

      Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi spent Feb. 16 in Lynbrook, East Rockaway and Bay Park, focused on economic development. He and invited guests toured the communities by helicopter and bus, and then held a public meeting in the evening to discuss the villages' future development, residents' concerns and Suozzi's plans for the area.
      The bus tour of the neighboring villages began in Lynbrook's Greis Park. Suozzi was accompanied by Lynbrook Mayor Eugene Scarpato, Deputy Mayor Tom Miccio, Village Administrator Dave Smollett, Architectural Review Board member Richard Clifford, Chamber of Commerce President Polly Talbott, chamber members Harry Levitt, Jeff Greenfield and Bill Gaylor, Sean Strife of the Nassau County Bridge Authority, East Rockaway Deputy Mayor Richard Meagher, Rose Trum of the Beautification Committee, and Bay Park Civic Association representative Judy Rossi.
       The tour took them past the businesses of each village downtown area, their schools, village halls, parks, fire departments and the police station in Lynbrook, so Suozzi could get a feel for the communities and a glimpse at areas that might be appropriate for economic development. "If nothing else, the county executive will get to see the traffic we have to deal with every day," said a Lynbrook resident who declined to be identified.
      At the public meeting, held at East Rockaway High School, East Rockaway Mayor Joseph Carrigan introduced Suozzi, who explained his plan for economic growth throughout the county. Called "New Suburbia," the blueprint reflects Suozzi's intention to provide "balanced and diversified housing opportunities, a high quality of life, low crime and low unemployment, local zoning control, a substantial and realistic approach to traffic congestion and a vision for targeted growth."
      Suozzi reminded the audience of about 85 residents of his accomplishments since he took office in January 2002, and took credit for the county's current positive financial outlook. "The county has turned the corner financially," he said. "'New Suburbia' is my overall vision for the county as a whole, and how it applies to your neighborhoods. We have to make a plan for the next 50 years of our history, and we have to start talking about it now."
      Suozzi complimented East Rockaway on its waterfront revitalization project, which officials and residents hope will make the Talfor Boat Basin a South Shore showcase. "This is a very nice place to live," he said. "You have nice homes and small, defined commercial areas."
      Suozzi projected that the downtown revitalization would increase spending in the community and encourage others to enjoy it as well. "You have made East Rockaway a walkable community," he said. "You have really instilled a sense of place here."
      As for Lynbrook, Suozzi expressed some concern about the mingling of commercial and private properties. "The big challenge for Lynbrook is that commercial and residential properties are right next to each other," he said. "This will be a big challenge for your future. I want to work with both villages, especially Lynbrook, to help develop downtown."
      Suozzi suggested that, through the village's zoning and planning committees, Lynbrook work toward having all-commercial and all-residential areas. He also advised the Lynbrook village board to use a planner to "come up with a vision for your future."
      He further encouraged both villages to hold more meetings advising residents of future plans and inviting their input. "Developers do not drive the projects," said Suozzi. "The community drives the projects."
      When the meeting was opened to comments, Scarpato said, "We need parking and we must build up, but the community doesn't want that."
      Confirming the mayor's problem, resident Pat Cox told Suozzi, "I've got a problem with tier parking."
      "Find tier parking who does it right," offered Suozzi. "Get parking with security cars to monitor for safety."
      "We don't want that," Cox replied.
      Jeff Greenfield, a Lynbrook business owner and a Rockville Centre resident, urged Lynbrook residents to stop being anti-development. "The mayor has been leading us with a great vision for the village, but he is met with much NIMBY-ism," said Greenfield, using the acronym for "not in my backyard." "Let's get behind him and move forward."
      East Rockaway resident and ex-fire chief Bobby Klose voiced his concerns about overdevelopment in the areas. He said that when a building is proposed, consideration must be given to the fire departments. "We don't have the proper equipment to stretch a hose that high or that far sometimes," said Klose. "There are serious safety issues involved here, and that has to be looked at before you build. Otherwise the taxpayers are left having to pay for new fire trucks."
      Other residents asked Suozzi about local traffic issues, affordable housing, the planting of trees and transportation. When he did not have an immediate answer, he referred a questioner to someone in his office, who promised to provide help.
      The county executive spent the bulk of the meeting detailing his concept of "New Suburbia," which includes the long-term economic development that supports and promotes high-tech industries, sports, entertainment and tourism and next-generation housing. His goal is to invest in infrastructure improvements like transportation, open spaces and schools, and to target development of downtowns, brownfields, emerging minority communities and the Nassau Hub. He said that the plan focuses on keeping the things that make individual villages unique, and adding things that would make them better.
      Suozzi itemized the challenges: high taxes, overdeveloped commercial strips and the lack of open space, traffic congestion and the lack of mass transit, the high cost of living, pockets of poverty, illegal housing, and lax code enforcement. Focusing on Lynbrook and East Rockaway, he highlighted his concern with the lack of open space for recreation areas, traffic congestion on major thoroughfares, and the high cost of living. He proposed to establish a communication partnership with the boards of education in both villages, the beautification committees, both chambers of commerce, and the Bay Park Civic Association.
      Suozzi jokingly concluded, "If you like what I'm talking about, spread the word. If you don't, then keep it to yourself."

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