Levy and Mangano Address the Region’s Issues at the LIA’s Annual County Executives’ Report

County Executives Steve Levy (Suffolk) and Edward Mangano (Nassau) delivered their first joint address before 400 members of the Long Island Association this morning at the annual “County Executives’ Report” breakfast at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.

Moderated by LIA President Matthew T. Crosson, both Executives addressed myriad issues of concern to Long Island’s business community.

Focusing on economic development and smart growth, Levy stressed the reinstatement of Empire Zones which were recently eliminated by Governor Paterson. Levy cited the relocation of Canon’s and Leviton’s headquarters to Suffolk County as recent “incentive package” success stories to keep companies and jobs on Long Island.

Levy also highlighted other initiatives aimed at job creation including the identification of emerging industries, creating a “welcoming committee” of business leaders to identify and cull prospects, coordinating workforce development programs with universities and the creation of an early-stage finance committee for venture capital. Levy agrees that downtown revitalization is a way to spur growth and build affordable housing and encourages the business community to participate in a lobbying committee.

Mangano cited his bi-partisanship record of achievement in the Nassau County Legislature that will help him work with both elected officials and communities in order to prosper with a “bottom-line oriented approach” to sustainable and transit oriented planning. Mangano added that he will not further impede Nassau County’s cornerstone Lighthouse Project with additional reviews beyond the Town of Hempstead, but he will make sure that taxpayers receive a fair market value for their property.  

Both executives stressed working together on issues of commonality and introduced, with the inclusion of Westchester County, the formation of a Downstate County Executive Committee to address regional issues.

LIA members participated in an open-mic Q&A. Paula Geonie, Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard, addressed what new plans for tourism are on the docket as vineyards struggle to compete with brands that are not heavily taxed by their regions.

Jim March, Nassau-Suffolk School Board Association, mentioned the issue of the “exodus of our students and working capitol.” Levy commented that both school boards and PTAs need to support workforce housing and realize the net plus to local schools – not impede the process.

Dr. Ray Ann Havasy, Center for Science Teaching and Learning, posed a question on broadening the incorporation of green technologies to non-profit initiatives.

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