Issues/Activism

Pat's views and issues will be posted here as events arise.

In order to protect the residents of Kings Park and Fort Salonga from a debilitating growth in population and a surge in property taxes our Town Board must stop playing politics and work strategically and together to reach a consensus.  The time has come to send the message that the Town Board represents the interest of the entire community and expects to have a say (and the residents expect them to have a say) in the disposition of the KPPC property. 

The Arker Companies is proposing to build 1800 housing units on the KPPC property!  This would destabilize the Kings Park Community.  If granted the abatements they are seeking, Kings Park school taxes could skyrocket. 

Certain members of our Town Board, instead of responding with a unified resolve to oppose this threat, resorted to political posturing and petty squabbles.   When asked at the Town Board meeting Tuesday, March 8^th,  2005 to approve a resolution to have all Town Board members endorse a letter asking Governor Pataki to include the local government in the redevelopment plan for the site, Councilwomen Joanne Gray and Jane Conway refused.  The councilwomen did not refuse because they are opposed to the message. They refused because they oppose the messenger, Supervisor Patrick Vecchio.  This obstructionist behavior has become the norm rather than the exception on the Smithtown Town Board and accounts for the stagnation of our local government.

Local governments typically have authority over local land use decisions and in cases where the state’s authority supersedes local authority; the state has chosen to respect that authority by involving local government.

In May of 2004 Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of the Empire State Development (ESD), announced the third phase of the “Build Now-NY” program.  The ESD, along with the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform (GORR) under its director Daniel D. Hogan, stated; “This initiative is designed to allow local governments to decide on the appropriate type of development for their community…” 

Why is Smithtown being denied the same courtesies as those who are in the Build Now –NY program?  Isn’t this a question the Town Board should be asking? 

Governor Pataki, the residents of Smithtown need you to be aware of the issues regarding the KPPC property. The challenging environmental threats on the property were not of the residents making and their community must not be forced to bear the burden of remediation costs. The residents of Smithtown must have the same opportunities to participate in the development of this property that other communities have and other programs (such as the Build Now -NY) provide.  It is time to meet with our locally elected officials and develop a plan that works for your constituents.   

I call upon the Town Board to stop the politicking and get on with the peoples’ business. 

It's Time!

March 9, 2005

Dear Editor

On March 8^th 2005, I addressed the Town Board urging them to work together, to speak with one voice and send a strong message to Governor Pataki that the board is united in its opposition to the sale of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center to Arker Company.  And to stress their position that the people of Smithtown, Kings Park and Fort Salonga in particular, are not well served by the Empire State Development Corporation’s plan to sell the Kings Park Psychiatric Center to Arker. 

Councilmember McCarthy proposed the Board make a statement of endorsement for a letter Supervisor Vecchio sent to Governor Pataki asking for a long overdue dialog between his office, our local officials and our local representatives in State government.

The letter requested that the Governor “negate” the sale of the property to Arker because of a justified concern over the impact of the proposed project on the community.  It neither endorsed nor opposed any particular development plan.

Councilmembers Conway and Gray voted against McCarthy’s proposal. 

It is an injustice to Smithtown residents that our Town Board cannot come together even to ask the Governor of New York State to confer with them, our town officials, for the benefit of their constituents.  The Governor is more likely to respond to a unified Town Government.  Our Town Board, working together, shows solidarity of purpose in protecting our community from the devastating consequences of tax increases and over development. 

The consequences of any State action will be borne by the residents and as such we, the residents, have a right to have our local officials involved in the sale of this property and its development.  We welcome the independent ideas that Board members may have.  But for now, we require the Board to unite and demand to have a seat at the table during any discussion dealing with the Kings Park Psychiatric Center. 

Councilmembers Conway and Gray, I urge you to reconsider your “no” vote and send the message to Governor Pataki that our Board will act as one to ensure that the community comes first. 

Sincerely,

Pat Biancaniello