'Voice' of LIA pens second book about LI

While Long Island's business community is most familiar with him as the voice of the Long Island Association, Gary Wojtas has also penned more than 2,000 stories, for the LIA and other local publications, and a book about Long Island. And now, he has written a second about, guess what? Long Island.

Wojtas's new book, "Long Island: Yesterday & Today," has just been released by West Side Publishing, of Lincolnwood, Ill. The 192-page book with 300 contemporary and historic photos, examines Long Island in six chapters, capturing more than 300 years of history.

"Long Island: Yesterday & Today" is part of a series published by West Side. The company has published books on half a dozen U.S. cities, said Trudy Gauerke, West Side's acquisition editor. West Side chose Long Island, Gauerke said, because of its proximity to New York City. "Long Island's relationship with New York City draws a lot of interest," she said. "You don't expect to find such a rural/suburban area so close to the city."

West Side had seen Wojtas' first book, "Long Island: Reflections on a Miracle," published American Image, Birmingham, Ala., in 2005, a look at the Island's businesses and economy. Wojtas, who is director of communications for the LIA, said he heard West Side wanted to do a Long Island book and contacted them. It took about 10 months to write. It is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com or Borders. com. and retails for $24.95.

Is he ready for a third? "I think I'll take a breather for awhile," Wojtas said.