Letter: LI planning agencies abound
David Wolkoff, who with his father, Gerald Wolkoff, is planning a $4-billion Heartland Town Square in Brentwood, one of the many development issues facing Long Island. Credit: Howard Schnapp
While it's true Long Island will probably lose its only regional planning entity at year's end ["Will Long Island. ... Grow together, or grow apart?" Editorial, July 17], first-rate planning and advocacy agencies remain, along with local community organizations that continue to work to develop the future of Long Island from the bottom up.
I agree now is the time, more than ever, for Long Island leaders to focus on community and regional planning that integrates current and future needs for our deteriorating downtowns, struggling environment, and overstressed economy. The good news is we have the tools.
Take Erase Racism for example, which focuses on creating strategies to reduce inequalities in the housing and education industry. How about the Rauch Foundation? It consistently engages communities in thinking about our region and its future. Both Nassau and Suffolk counties have offices of economic development, which look to create jobs and employment opportunities. Don't forget the different funding streams for local and regional planning from organizations such as the Long Island Community Foundation.
Ruth-Negron Gaines, Bethpage
Editor's note: The writer is the board president of Sustainable Long Island, a regional nonprofit promoting economic development, environmental health and social equity.
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