Group to focus on East End interests

More than 170 people attended last week’s first public meeting to consider the formation of a group dedicated to East End interests.

Assemb. Fred Thiele Jr. (I-Sag Harbor) and state Sen. Kenneth P. LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) held the meeting on Nov. 30 at the Southampton campus of Stony Brook University.

The organization, to be called the Peconic Sustainability Institute, would bring together diverse groups as well as government leaders to tackle issues unique to the East End, such as agriculture, public transportation, economics and environmental concerns, largely through research and education.

At the meeting, a 16-member steering committee and three work groups were created, Thiele said in a news release.

The groups will meet and present their information at another public meeting, which Thiele said should happen before March.

“It is clear that there is widespread support on the East End for the creation of a regional think-tank where community leaders can work together to reach consensus on regional policies for a prosperous future, Thiele said.