West Islip Summit Coalition To Hold Community Forum May 12

As part of its continuing effort to keep local residents up-to-date on a variety of important issues throughout the hamlet, the West Islip Summit Coalition will hold its 2nd Annual Community Forum Wednesday, May 12, 7 p.m. at the historic La Grange, Montauk Highway in West Islip.

 

Since holding the 1st Annual West Islip Summit this past October, the Summit Coalition has continued to tackle a number of issues that impact the quality of life of all West Islip residents. The Community Forum will allow Coalition members to provide an update on several initiatives and also provide local residents an opportunity to offer their input on other issues they feel need to be addressed. In addition, local residents will also have the opportunity to tour the recently refurbished La Grange and meet with the catering facility’s new proprietors.

 

“Our first Summit was a huge success and we want the community as a whole to know that we continue to make progress in working to find solutions on a range of issues,” said Steve Gellar, co-chair of the West Islip Summit Coalition.

 

The evening’s program will also include breakout sessions with each of the Summit Coalition’s committees that will allow residents to speak with Coalition members about specific issues. Committees include Beautification and Historic Preservation, Business & Economic Development, Quality of Life, Youth Services and Public Relations.

 

“The breakout session are a great way for local residents to meet Coalition volunteers and also provides an opportunity for others to get involved as well,” said Annmarie LaRosa, co-chair of the Summit Coalition. “The Community Forum will also allow West Islip residents to meet the new operators of La Grange, who have made a strong commitment to invest in our community.”

West Islip Summit Coalition To Hold Food Drives

In an on-going effort to keep the food pantries of local churches well stocked, the West Islip Summit Coalition is seeking volunteers to donate one hour of their time to collect food outside Stop N Shop one Saturday a month from April through July.

 

Over the past year, local churches including Our Lady of Lourdes, The West Islip Church of Christ and Westminster Presbyterian Church have struggled to keep up with demand for food from West Islip residents. The Summit Coalition has worked to gather food donations in the past, but more is still needed.

 

To help gather food to supply local churches, the Summit Coalition will hold food drives outside Stop N Shop on April 17, May, 15, June 19 and July 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. To ensure that food drives are properly staffed each day, the Summit Coalition is seeking volunteers to donate one hour on the day of their choice. Times each day will be filled on a first-come first-serv basis.

 

The presence of children and teens always results in large contributions; however, an adult must be on site during every shift. This is an excellent opportunity for community service hours and service projects. Groups could include scouts and troops, packs, patrols and/or dens; school classes and clubs; sports leagues and/or teams; community clubs and organizations; merchants and hospital departments.

 

Those interested in volunteering may contact Deborah Rode at (631) 539-4707 or via e-mail at drode6@gmail.com.

West Islip Summit Coalition - Quality of Life Committee Meeting

Meeting held February 9, 2010

Present:
Ron Bova, James Lundie, Bernadette Burns, Rocco Pepe, Carolyn Agenjo, Lynn Luttenberger, Maria Figalora, Deborah Rode, Joseph DiPalma, Barbara Jones

Meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M.

Carolyn Agenjo spoke about the Weeks Library at the Higbie Center.  She said electrical repairs are needed included an air conditioner line.  They are trying to sort out all the material on hand and put information on the library's computers.  They also intend to digitalize old copies of the Islip Bulletin.

Joseph DiPalma will contact John Tooker in Supervisor Nolan's office to try and get things moving. Additionally, some large antique pieces need to be moved from a room across from the library to the Islip Grange.

Rocco Pepe spoke about an agreement with the Pace's concerning decorative lighting and trees being installed on Montauk Highway along the boundary of the Pace property (formerly Babylon Ford).

Ron Bova spoke about code violations on Kime Avenue.  He will follow up with Steve Flotteron's office concerning the above and a past complaint at Sunrise Highway and West 5th Street.

Deborah Rode provided an update on the food drive to be conducted at Stop/Shop, target date, late March and following months. Bernadette Burns will speak to Steve Geller concerning a letter to Stop/Shop and also speak to the high school Art Department about possible banners.

Barbara Jones said that there were problems with NYS concerning attempts to beautify the area across from Udall Middle School.

Maria Figalora agreed to contact local social workers and local church administrators concerning assistance for senior residents and also explore the possibility of using the West Islip Public Library to get information out regarding senior programs.

West Islip Summit Coalition - Quality of Life Committee Meeting

Meeting held January 5, 2010

Present:   
Ron Bova, Bernadette Burns, Katy Calloway (Steve Flotteron’s office), Steve Gellar, Bill Johnston, Gloria Johnston, Barbara Jones, Jim Lundie, Lynn Luttenberger, Dan Monahan, Rocco Pepe, Deborah Rode

The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.

Steve Gellar spoke about the success of the summit event, and the importance of continuing the work that was started this year.


Bernadette Burns stepped down as co-chair; Lynn Luttenberger agreed to assume the responsibility.


The committee agreed to merge with the Beautification Committee, since most members are the same and the two committees share the same goals and activities.


Jim Lundie suggested dividing the Quality of Life Committee into five subcommittees who would report on their progress at each meeting:
Recreational services – Mara Figalora
Code enforcement – Ron Bova, Anthony Formica
Outreach programs – Dan Monahan, Deborah Rode
Beautification – Bill Johnston, Gloria Johnston, Barbara Jones, Rocco Pepe
Historical Preservation – Carol Agenjo


Lack of food for the local pantries continues to be a concern.  Discussion ensued regarding ways to involve local schools and the public library in collecting non-perishable items. Mr. Gellar will speak with Andrew Hamm at the West Islip Public Library; Mrs. Burns will discuss the issue with the principals.


Mr. Donald Marmo requested the committee’s assistance in dealing with a chronic issue near his home in which a car for sale is illegally parked every weekend.  Mr. Bova is investigating the situation; Katie Calloway offered to elicit Councilman Steve Flotteron’s assistance.


Mr. Johnston questioned if the community was aware of the many fine things the Summit Coalition and other town organizations do. The committee discussed ways of getting the word out to the community about these activities. For example, many of the committee members were unaware that the West Islip Beautification Society is responsible for the beautiful red ribbons along the library picket fence on Montauk Highway. Mr. Gellar suggested that items of interest be forwarded to Greg Sleter, chairman of the Public Relations Committee and publisher of WestIslipTribune.com.


Mrs. Calloway questioned whether there is a graffiti issue within West Islip.  She offered that the Red Cross will provide the labor if the materials are supplied.  Lynn Luttenberger will follow up.


The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

Town Councilwoman-Elect Trish Bergin Meets With WI Summit Coalition

Trish Bergin (center) with Steve Gellar and Annmarie LaRosa. Trish Bergin (center) with Steve Gellar and Annmarie LaRosa.

At the recent West Islip Summit Coalition meeting, Islip Town Councilwoman-elect Trish Bergin met with coalition members congratulating the group on the success of the First Annual West Islip Summit held in late October.


Welcomed to the meeting by Summit Coalition co-chairs Steve Gellar and Annmarie LaRosa, Bergin discussed several topics that included her work to gain office space at Islip Town's Brookwood Hall, which would put her close to Town Hall, and informing Coalition members that she will be a full-time councilwoman with the ability to meet with residents during the day while also attending as many evening meetings as possible.


“I will work to strike a balance between meeting people during the day in my office, being out at meetings at night and having a home life,” Bergin said. “But I want you to know that as of January 1, my office will have an open door policy.”


She also pledged her support to work with the Summit Coalition to resolving issues and challenges around West Islip, and suggested that West Islip might consider undertaking a hamlet study to layout a vision for the hamlet. Bergin said she helped to develop a Hamlet Study for Oakdale while a resident of that community.

Information about West Islip Summit Coalition Projects

Residents in attendance at the First Annual West Islip Summit received a glimpse into some of the issues being tackled by the Summit Coalition's sub-committees. To see an outline of the work completed and future projects, click the Committee Projects tab above.