The rally commenced with Kings
Park Central School District's Superintendent Dr. DeRose's opening
remarks in which she stated "The main purpose of the rally is to
bring solidarity in our spirit here in Kings Park, in our thinking
and most important in our actions." In attendance were virtually all
our elected local representatives namely Senator John Flanagan,
Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, Legislator Lynn Nowick, Supervisor
Patrick Vecchio, Town Council members Jane Conway, Joanne Gray and
Ed Werhiem, school board members Ed Hogan, Robert Parrone, and Kings
Park Chamber President Charles Gardner.
Rallying
First to address the
assembly was New
York State Senator Flanagan. In his presentation he reiterated
his support for our community and gave a synopsis of his efforts
made on behalf of the Kings Park community. On the topic of the
KPPC, although he stated he spoke with the Governor
and Empire State Development he did not elaborate or give any
information on the content of these discussions. Rhetorically he
asked "What do I think should go there? ... I'll give you some general
opinions." to the applause of the crowd he offered "there is no way, no way I would stand for
1,800 units of housing." The final decision, he said, will have
to be a
collective one made by all the representatives, with everyone having
to give concessions. He said he impressed upon the developer to keep an
open dialogue with the entire community, to put it in his words...
"You need to be actively involved with this community, you need to
listen before you act. If you act before you listen, everyone here
including all the elected officials will run you out of town." The Senator
then said both he and Assemblyman Fitzpatrick met with the Arker Companies and indicated the developer has
had correspondence with the state
and they are now looking to submit a plan which calls for a mixed use development of the property,
one which will work within the guidelines of
the Town of Smithtown's Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan.
Further, he plans to work with the Empire State Development Corp to get an
extension of time so everyone can better evaluate the situation
before a commitment is made.
Second to speak was Assemblyman
Fitzpatrick who indicated he concurred with Senator
Flanagan. He did however add, unlike Hauppauge and Commack, 95% of Kings Park's
tax revenue is derived from residential sources, and in order for it
to survive, the school district which has little or no "wiggle room"
in its budget must see a change. In his final comments he said he
spoke with the developer and said, "these people have told us, low
income, section 8 housing is not part of any application they will
propose" and they will look to keep within the scope of the Town's
codes and LWRP. And they look forward to working with the town and
all the community groups to come to a mutually acceptable
resolution.
Third, our county
representative Legislator Lynn Nowick, said the county has no
jurisdiction over the development but she would do whatever possible
to support the community. The
Legislator indicated she too met with the developers and asked they work
to resolve the concerns of the community leaders and residents. Likewise,
at the rally she urged the community to remain vigilant
and work with their elected officials and the developers to achieve a mutually acceptable
resolution.
Supervisor Vecchio spoke next, his tone
was consistent with past presentations. He
rehashed the studies which were compiled over the past several
years. The first study which was completed by the town in 1993, by a
panel which included the town's planning board, local residents and
civic leaders. The second, a study which was prepared by the
Governor's special task force, which again included local input. And
finally, a third study prepared for the town by an independent
consulting firm. The funding for this study was provided by a
provision in New York State's "Reinvestment Bill" which was
introduced by then, Senator Lack. All three of these studies he
stated, mirrored each other and call for limited use, mixed
development. With this, he reviewed the failed proposals of the
previous two developers, Lamb and Erickson, pointing out how these
plans both similar in design contrasted dramatically with the
recommendations provided by the three studies and how the town as
well as the local residents and community leaders vehemently opposed
these high density proposals. After learning Arker had filed a
Brownfield Application with plans similar to those of the first two,
puzzled he stated "Didn't Arker get the message?" Again, he
made it clear, any development would have to be consistent with the
town's zoning, their last land use study and the Land Water
Revitalization Program ("LWRP") they filed with the state. Included
in his remarks was the statement..."you can have mixed use, you can
have an office building, you can have senior housing, you can have
some residential use. However, whatever combination you choose it's
limited by 1,500 trips in and out the complex. Anything that exceeds
that will not be consistent with the plan." Further he stated, Arker
must remember, neither the governor nor the state officials have any
jurisdiction over the zoning and planning of the property, these
issues are regulated by our town board and planning department.
Councilwoman Jane Conway
then addressed the audience. She congratulated Kings Park for their
spirit and determination in making their voices heard. Not looking
to belabor the issue she kept her comments short. Countering recent
remarks made by Senator Flanagan concerning the town's failure in
appearing to be working together she commented: "We look different,
we sound different, we write different, we don't write, but we with
you are all saying one thing. No over development, no 1,800 units of
housing. We want a sensitively redevelopment of Kings Park."
On another point, she did however agree with Senator Flanagan, and
said we must redefine our mixed use demand and everyone has to work
together to achieve a successful goal.
Councilwoman Joanne
Gray, shared the same sentiment as the previous speakers and added
"the important thing you have to know is the town board is behind
you." Further she emphasized the need to develop the property to
generate a positive tax flow for the school district.
Councilman Ed Werheim, like
his fellow council members, assured the group, the town board,
working with all our elected officials, will be scrutinizing every
plan which is submitted. Insuring the development will not
negatively impact the town nor the hamlet of Kings Park was his
goal.
Speaking on behalf of
the Kings Park Central School District Ed Hogan urged the community
to stick together and keep their voices heard. He pointed out the
only way the district can survive is with more tax revenue, but
warned the burden of obtaining this revenue can not and should not
be placed on the senior citizens with small fixed incomes and young
families who are just barely making ends meet. He told the elected
officials, the community is watching and depending on them to work
together to make positive things happen.
Finally, Chamber President
Charles Gardner spoke. Summing up he high lighted the positive
effects witnessed when everyone in the community works together. He
thanked the local social and civic organizations for their support
and participation in the newly formed coalition and emphasized the
value it had on having the community's concerns heard. Further, he
warned the community to continue to watch and to be ready to react.
Just as the meeting ended and
fortunate for the crowd the bad weather broke and a window of
opportunity for a march opened. Unlike the unruly protests of the
radical 1960's & 70's this group was orderly and focused on having
their message heard. Many gathered carrying signs and marched
proudly as the sounds of car horns could be heard beeping in the
background confirming support for their cause.
03/31/05
