BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Limba - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Limba X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://limba.net X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Limba REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20120311T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20121104T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20130310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20131103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20140309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20141102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20150308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20151101T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140926T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140926T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140926T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140926T040000Z UID:4604-1411689600-1411689600@limba.net SUMMARY:Islip Supv Tom Croci- descussing The Free Trade Zone DESCRIPTION:LIMBA speaker this morning was Islip Town Supervisor Tom Croci. Mr. Croci began be expressing the notion of good government is borne out of a workable philosophy. Tom chose to use his experience in Afghanistan to make his point. \n  \nHe told a story of meeting an enterprising youth that was selling cheap knock-off knives from Pakistan when on an earlier tour of duty. He purchased one of his $5 knives. When he returned years later he came across the same person\, now a grown man. The Afghan man was now a millionaire and he explained the transformation by the fact that the Taliban was no longer frustrating the will of the people. The way that Croci explained it\, the government was no longer in the way of someone determined to succeed. \n  \nWhen asked about his own style in running town government\, he went a little further. Empower people who want to help\, was essentially his message. On the other hand you need to upset an established culture if it is not succeeding. \n  \nWhen discussing Long Island’s ability to compete he enumerated several problems\, namely taxes\, and energy costs. But we can compete in terms of quality educated people with any region. He pointed out that there are pockets of wealth such as the Hamptons and much of Long Island’ North Shore that tells you we have something going for us. \n  \nDuring Q&A he addressed the tax cap which he thought was a good idea because it was supposed to include mandate relief\, but it didn’t. \n  \nMr. Croci is a man that comes across as a problem solver\, and at the end of the meeting that was the consensus opinion. \n  \nErnie Fazio \n  \nMichelle Zere asked LIMBA to put on this program and we thank her. Our staff people Annette Krauss and Ken Nevor. Ken Nevor’s efforts calling people to remind them of the meeting helped fill the room. Thanks \n  \nBill Miller is now with Gold Coast Bank and we all congratulate him.   \n  \nWe thank our sponsors Covanta Energy and The Islip Free Trade Zone . They each had an important message on how they serve the community URL:https://limba.net/calendar/islip-supv-tom-croci-descussing-the-free-trade-zone/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140912T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140912T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140912T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140912T040000Z UID:4602-1410480000-1410480000@limba.net SUMMARY:Congressman Hon. Tim Bishop DESCRIPTION:Congressman Tim Bishop was our guest speaker this morning and he began with telling us how difficult it was for many people in that body to embrace compromise. \n  \nHe gave this example: One of the tools of international business that many smaller firms rely on is the Import/ Export Bank. This government entity facilitates international trade. Renewing Import-Export Bank is routinely handled in Congress because it is popular in both parties. In addition it produces revenues for the government. Why is it being delayed or blocked? Who knows? \n  \nLIMBA asked Mr. Bishop to address the prospects of going to war. He responded by telling the audience that ISIS is a complex and dangerous enemy. He stated the president was correct when he emphasized the enemy was not the Muslims but the terrorists." This is not a sectarian war" Bishop said. "In fact most of the victims of this war are Muslims." He told us that the president is leaning on the moderate states in the region to ultimately quell this mayhem. \n  \nThe congressman went on to speak on the agenda items that need to be addressed. Immigration reform\, infrastructure\, and unemployment insurance will not be completed in this congress. Mr. Bishop lamented the ability to compromise and both parties at various times have been guilty\, but this congresses record is the worst in history. \n  \nHowever the congressman did give us one example that was successful. That was the "Water Reconstruction Planning." \n  \nDuring the Q&A portion he was asked why we could not tie adequate spending on veteran’s health and education to any new war efforts\, so returning soldiers are not neglected. \n  \nBishop welcomed that question because that was one area where the congress was successful. In New York State the tuition rate is pegged at the highest state school level\, which is $16\,000 per year. "Any soldier that wants to pursue a college education will have the funds." He also stated that the healthcare funds have been dramatically increased\, and he added more has to be done. \n  \nHe was also was asked why we are saddled with "Common Core" standards mandated by congress. He made a factual correction on the question saying that the Common Core program was not mandated by congress\, but a measurable standard was mandated. It turned out to be Common Core and he told us that the role-out of the program was deeply flawed. On the other hand the Common Core goals were met in other states with a high degree of success. \n  \nErnie Fazio \n  \nThe sponsors of this event were and we appreciate the support – Thanks. \n  \nGreenman Pedersen Inc. This company has engineered numerous infrastructure achievements in the region and in other cities. \n  \nAnd \n  \nLong Island Forum for Technology. LIFT operates as a not-for-profit agency helping technology companies gather resources from industry and government to further their work. \n\nMany thanks to the Clarion Hotel and their attentive staff. \n  \nOur wonderful staff including Ken Nevor\, Annette Krauss\, Bill Miller\, Marguerite Moore\, and Michelle Zere deserve a lot of credit for helping make these programs possible. URL:https://limba.net/calendar/congressman-hon-tim-bishop/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140822T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140822T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140822T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140822T040000Z UID:4606-1408665600-1408665600@limba.net SUMMARY:Microsoft Seminar-"Productively using the Cloud" 8:30 AM DESCRIPTION: Microsoft will host a seminar at their Walt Whitman location in Huntington. This program is being offerred as an educational function by LIMBA and seating at this event is strictly limited so that the interaction between the presenter and the audience is meaningful. We recommend early registration. Please go to     www.LIMBA. net  and register    If we are overbooked\, the last to register will be unregistered. \nCoffee\, Juice\, pastry and bagels will be peovided.  URL:https://limba.net/calendar/microsoft-seminar-productively-using-the-cloud-830-am/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140725T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140725T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140725T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140725T040000Z UID:4599-1406246400-1406246400@limba.net SUMMARY:Lee Zeldin DESCRIPTION:This morning our speaker was Lee Zeldin. Mr.Zeldin is the Republican candidate that is running for congress in the 1st congressional district  The candidate is impressive as a person when you consider  his education and his military service. \nHe spoke about his participation in the repeal of the MTA tax that LIMBA championed. He noted his great displeasure with the so-called Common Core agenda. Neither of these issues are that controversial with most of Long island voters. He alleged that his opponent\, Mr. Bishop\, was out of touch with his electorate\, and not a moderate. All of this went over very well with this mostly Republican audience. \nWhen it came to the Q&A of the program he was less sure of himself.  When he was asked if he would take a bold stand against the party as last month’s speaker \, Peter King \,did when he blasted them for    blocking   Sandy funds\, he was evasive. However he did state that\, at times he differed with the party on a state level in his role as a state senator. \nWhen asked to explain why the congress has done nothing on infrastructure\, immigration\, basic research funding\, and a farm bill\, and what he would do to make things better. his answers were not fully developed.  I don’t think that being vague should be held against him because nobody in Washington has been leading the way.  Did he make his case that he could do a better job than the incumbent?  He made a case that he is a decent human being\, but that’s not the point\, we knew that. \nI told Lee as he was leaving that I would like to see him promote a long time LIMBA  goal of building a Maglev train on Long Island. Supporting such an industry would provide a minimum of 20\,000 high paid jobs on Long Island and 20 million jobs nationwide. In the end it’s about creating a better country\, he agreed. I also told him that if he did prevail that LIMBA would always be there for him as an avenue to speak to the voters. \nErnie Fazio \nI want to thank my partner Bill miller\, Michelle Zere for making this meeting truly successful\, Annette Krause\, Ken Nevor \, Roger Ulanoff\, Zee Morrissy Joe Ogno and Peter Vannucci \nPatriotic Music was provided by The New Millennium Jazz Band \nColors were presented by the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts represented by Kyle\, Tyler\, Hunter\, and Chase Zere \nOur Sponsor was the Atlantic Agency represented by Maddy Leibowitz URL:https://limba.net/calendar/lee-zeldin/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140711T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140711T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140711T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140711T040000Z UID:4600-1405036800-1405036800@limba.net SUMMARY:John Kanas\, President Bank United DESCRIPTION:It was a pleasure to have an old friend of LIMBA return. John Kanas has the reputation of being unassuming and well-grounded and that is exactly what we saw this morning. \n  \nMr. Kanas took us through the chronology of his development. He began as a middle school teacher doing reasonably well when he was offered a job as a bank teller which paid less than half of what he was earning as a teacher with a much shorter vacation. He refused the job but he had an ambition to earn his MBA and become a lawyer so he turned back for a moment and asked if they had a tuition reimbursement plan. They didn’t have such a program\, but they wanted him work at this three branch\, rural institution called North Fork Bank so they said yes. He took the job thinking I’ll hang around here until I get my MBA on their dime and then I will pursue law. \n  \nSomeone once said “life is what happens while you are making other plans.” \n  \nTo hear him tell his story\, life is serendipity. That is to say your fortunes are found\, whether or not you are looking for them. There is\, of course\, some truth to that notion\, but successful people have vision and real skills. He found that he liked what he was now doing and was quite successful at it. His advancement eventually put him in charge as president and he began growing the bank until it became the large regional bank that was well known on Long Island and New York. \n  \nMr. Kanas came to North Fork Bank when it could have been purchased for $1 million. It was eventually sold to Capital One for $16 Billion. \n  \nAfter he left Capital One John gave himself a time-out and later began looking for depressed banks to acquire for Wilbur Ross. Ross was an investor that looked for depressed companies. Among the banks that Kanas looked at was Bank United. He offered $1Billion for Bank United but the federal regulators said the bank was viable and was not available for sale. Then the crash came and the bank was in shambles. They called Kanas and his investors back. They eventually paid nearly a billion dollars. The day his team took over there were crowds of people on the street demanding their money. I suggested to John that the film “it’s a Wonderful Life” took on new meaning\, he agreed. \n  \nThe new entity is actually doing quite well at this point and is growing by $1 Billion every 90 days. Does lightning strike twice? Maybe. \n  \nErnie Fazio \n  \nToday’s program was sponsored by Austin & Williams Advertising represented by Ken Greenberg and the law firm of Bond\, Schoeneck & King represented by Bernard Kennedy \n  \nThank You for your support \n  URL:https://limba.net/calendar/john-kanas-president-bank-united-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140627T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140627T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140627T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140627T040000Z UID:4597-1403827200-1403827200@limba.net SUMMARY:Ray Keating\, economist and columnist for LIBN DESCRIPTION:Mr. Keating is an economist and a columnist for LIBN. He has authored several books as well. He has a conservative view \nPlease join us. Meeting will be held at the Clarion Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn) 3845 Veterans Memorial highway\, Ronkonkoma NY Hotel phone 631 585-9500 Room opens for registration at 8AM\, Program begins at 8:30\, We adjourn at 9:30AM Meeting fee for Non members $25 for members $ 15 You may pay on-line https://limba.net/breakfastform.php or Call 631 757-1698 URL:https://limba.net/calendar/ray-keating-economist-and-columnist-for-libn/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140613T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140613T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140613T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140613T040000Z UID:4593-1402617600-1402617600@limba.net SUMMARY:Congressman Peter King DESCRIPTION:Our speaker this morning was Congressman Peter King\, and it was a particularly lively meeting. It was the congressman’s first appearance at LIMBA since his district was changed to include the Town of Islip. The audience was eager to hear what he had to say and the room was full. \n \nI introduced the speaker after I told the audience the role the congressman played when he teamed up with George Mitchell and President Clinton and worked on a peace settlement in Ireland. It was the kind of cooperation across party lines that is not seen today. I also noted that Mr. King was not shy about calling out Republicans lawmaker around the country when they tried to stiff the region on Sandy funding. \n \nMr. King took the floor and explained that his outrage at the Republican Party was based on the fact that we rushed to the aid of other parts of the country when they needed assistance\, and then they chose to abandon us. \n \nPeter King is easy to know. He speaks his mind and most people find that refreshing. There are some who are offended by straight talk\, but most of the people in the room were appreciative. \n \nMr. King opined that President Obama left Iraq too early\, and that\, in the congressman’s point of view\, was a missed opportunity. \n \nDuring the Q&A he was reminded of the war in Iraq\, was not a good move\, and how that war has destabilized the entire region. King said he voted for the war and did so on what he considered good information.    \n \nOne of the people in the audience questioned his judgment on speaking harshly about people like Rand Paul and Ted Cruz. “Shouldn’t those critical remarks be spoken to them in private” was the question. Mr. King was quite direct and told the questioner that those people are the ones that create dissent and he has no obligation to be quiet about his disapproval of them (not a direct quote). \n \nWhen speaking about Cruz’s closing down of the government\, he stated that he too objected to Obamacare\, but closing down the government to get what you could not get legislatively is not the way we do things. Obamacare was created through the legislative process\, if you want to repeal it\, elect a Republican congress and a Republican president and repeal it; otherwise it remains the law of the land. \n \nThe release of the Guantanamo prisoner in a swap for Mr. Bergdahl was not a good idea according to King. He thinks that they are still a danger to the United States. URL:https://limba.net/calendar/congressman-peter-king/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140530T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140530T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140530T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140530T040000Z UID:4592-1401408000-1401408000@limba.net SUMMARY:LIMBA Boot Camp -Matt Goerke- The Memory Switch DESCRIPTION:Our speaker this week was Matt Goerke. Matt is a truly talented memory training specialist. He began by asking which one of us has trouble remembering and the response was almost universally negative. He went on to say that the bulk of memory difficulty is the belief that we cannot do it. It sounds simplistic\, but as the session went on we could see where the training could substantially increase our ability to learn the techniques of memory retention. \n   \nThe first exercise was to elicit a word from different people in the audience until he had 15 words. Each of us wrote down the words. He asked us to turn over the paper and write down all the words in the order that we first heard them. Not only were we not able to remember most of the words\, those we did get were not in the correct order. By the end of the session all of the people could remember the words in the correct order and randomly as well. \n   \nWhen we were leaving we realized that the session went over the designated hour and no one seemed to realize the passing of the time\, a fact that indicated that we were all so engaged in the thinking process. \n   \nBeyond the idea that remembering people and names\, sources of technical information and processes are all essential to our business success\, it is also fun. But perhaps more importantly was the fact that the mental stimulation was likely to keep us healthy. Memory training is apparently on par with learning a foreign language and other similar challenges. The pursuit of a better memory appears to be useful in maintaining a healthy outlook. \n   \nErnie Fazio URL:https://limba.net/calendar/limba-boot-camp-matt-goerke-the-memory-switch/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140509T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140509T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140509T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140509T040000Z UID:4595-1399593600-1399593600@limba.net SUMMARY:LIMBA Boot Camp Series PR&Media Mangmt RoxanneDonovan DESCRIPTION:Our LIMBA speaker Friday was Roxanne Donovan\, President of Great Ink Media Relations. Her expertise is in dealing with the press. She began by stating that what is said about you lives on. Therefore it is important that we must be careful and pro-active It’s a good idea to google your name at least once a week. \n  \n"If you get a call from a reporter\, the story may have already been written." She stated you can influence the outcome of the story if you pro-actively call the reporter. Reporters are constantly under a deadline requirement and the story you tell has a good chance of being the story that is eventually written. \n  \nReporters vs bloggers \n  \nReporters have a standard of professional conduct that expects them to do their own research\, and at the very least must stand behind what they write. Bloggers on the other hand do not usually have that kind of oversight. \n  \nBe respectful of a reporters deadline and get information out while there is still time to make changes. It is prudent to have low expectations of a reporters experience and expertise on the topic\, he often covers several beats. \n  \nBear in mind the reporting is subjective and he may interpret an event based on his own experience. It is your job to nudge him toward the true picture. There is ego involved and asking for changes on a material fact may be important but a trivial fact should be ignored. \n  \nNurture good relations with reporters by commenting on the times when you liked their work\, and don’t call a reporter when he is close to deadline. \n  \nThe Press release \n  \nPress releases make the reporters job easier\, if he calls for details he is just verifying the facts as stated and is able to complete a cogent article quickly. \n  \nOff the Record \n  \nThis is a minefield that needs to be discussed. What does it mean? Does it mean he cannot mention it all? Does it mean he can attribute it to an industry source that is not named. Can he say he deduced it from other information he collected? Make it clear and have that conversation before you disclose "off the record" information. \n  \nAfter Roxanne’s formal remarks there was a very lively Q&A delving into the many statements you see above. \n  \nMichelle Zere brought today’s speaker to LIMBA Thank You \n  \nErnie Fazio \n  \nOur sponsor for this program was Ronald Stair PhD\, president of Creative Plan Design – Thank you Ron \n\n  URL:https://limba.net/calendar/limba-boot-camp-series-prmedia-mangmt-roxannedonovan/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140425T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140425T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140425T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140425T040000Z UID:4586-1398384000-1398384000@limba.net SUMMARY:Wayne Horsley as new park commissionor DESCRIPTION:  \nWayne Horsley is the former representative of Suffolk County’s 14th district. He is now the commissioner of Parks. Mr. Horsley is a popular and respected leader and has now taken on the responsibility of the parks system. The region has many beautiful parks and the job is big. We will  learn what improvements  plans are being planned in the year ahead.   \n This meeting is sponsored by West Star Capital – Thank you Tim Dillon \nMeeting will be held at the Clarion Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn) 3845 Veterans Memorial highway\, Ronkonkoma NY  Hotel phone 631 585-9500 \nRoom opens for registration at 8AM\, Program begins at 8:30\, We adjourn at 9:30AM \nMeeting fee for Non members $25 for members $15. You may pay on-line  https://limba.net/breakfastform.php   or \nCall 631 757-1698 URL:https://limba.net/calendar/wayne-horsley-as-new-park-commissionor/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140418T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140418T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140418T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140418T040000Z UID:4591-1397779200-1397779200@limba.net SUMMARY:Passover and Good Friday week-No meeting DESCRIPTION: URL:https://limba.net/calendar/passover-and-good-friday-week-no-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140411T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140411T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140411T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140411T040000Z UID:4596-1397174400-1397174400@limba.net SUMMARY:Cancelled meeting - death in speakers family DESCRIPTION:  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nThere has been a death in speakers family. This meeting will be rescheduled. \nIf you paid in advance you can use the payment for the next meeting or ask for a refund \n  \n \nLIMBA has been presenting useful and interesting insights on doing business. \nThis workshop will sharpen your ability to retain useful information and enhance your skills \nMemory Training Program- Matthew Goerke\, Developer Of the Memory Switch Program \nThis meeting is sponsored by West Star Capital represented by Tim Dillon- Thank You \n  \nMeeting will be held at the Clarion Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn) 3845 Veterans Memorial highway\, Ronkonkoma NY  Hotel phone 631 585-9500 \n  \nRoom opens for registration at 8AM\, Program begins at 8:30\, We adjourn at 9:30AM \n  \n  \n  \n \nMeeting fee for Non members $25 for members $15. You may pay on-line  https://limba.net/breakfastform.php   or \nCall 631 757-1698 URL:https://limba.net/calendar/cancelled-meeting-death-in-speakers-family/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140404T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140404T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140404T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140404T040000Z UID:4584-1396569600-1396569600@limba.net SUMMARY:LIMBA Social Media Roll-out- Steve DePass Jr DESCRIPTION:   \nThis is Big\n \nLIMBA Business Boot Camp Series – Roll-out of its new LIMBA Social Network– Learn how you can connect with thousands of people and companies in our network to develop your relationships with vendors and potential customers. This will be a place where you can regularly announce events and promote ideas.\nPresentation by Steven DePass\nPlease join us\n  \n Meeting will be held at the Clarion Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn)3845 Veterans Memorial Highway\, Ronkonkoma hotel phone 631 585-9500 \nRoom opens at 8AM Program begins 8:30 and adjourns at 9:30AM Member fee $15 non member fee $25 \nRegister on-line https://limba.net/breakfastform.php or call 631 757-1698 URL:https://limba.net/calendar/limba-social-media-roll-out-steve-depass-jr/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140321T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140321T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140321T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140321T040000Z UID:4590-1395360000-1395360000@limba.net SUMMARY:Steve Levy- & Panel- Center for Cost Effective Government DESCRIPTION:Today’s meeting consisted of a panel featuring Steve Levy\, NYS Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick and the president of Dowling College Dr. Norman Smith. Mr Levy began by outlined the problems that are causing our taxes to rise at a faster rate than inflation. The message on issues known as the The Triborough Amendment\, binding arbitration\, gaming the retirement payouts were discussed at length. \n   \nMr. Fitzpatrick is an assemblyman that has introduced a bill that will address these anomalies that are adversely affecting our ability to sustain local and state budgets. He gave us his overview and the resistance to change that he is dealing with. \n   \nDowling president Dr. Norman Smith was included in the panel to reflect the concerns of that part of the economy that are not directly involved with government. Dr Smith then spoke few minutes about the status of the college. \n   \nThe Tri-borough Amendment allows labor cost increases even without a union contract. Here is how it works. There are two parts to labor cost increases\, one is negotiated\, and the other is termed "step increases." If a union contract runs out than the part that is negotiated does not increase\, but the step increases continue unabated. This feature is unheard of in the private sector\, nor is it a practice in other states or federal employment. \n   \nBinding arbitration was established to overcome an impasse. If the negotiators could not agree a panel that is supposed to be neutral would negotiate. As it turns out the binding arbitration panel merely increases an agreement wage based on the last highest wage agreement and adds on a little more. \n   \nGaming retirement is the practice of using the last years of employment to boost the retirement pay. For example- If a policeman is earning $125\,000 per year and boosts his overtime to $200\,000 before retirement his retirement pay is based on that higher amount. This usually results in the retiree receiving more in retirement than his regular pay. Nowhere in industry or other states are pensions paid this way. \n   \nThe above were the main points\, but there are myriad of issues such as accumulated sick pay\, and accumulated vacation pay. In industry if you fail to use sick time or vacation time it will eventually be withdrawn. \n   \nThe room was filled with people who had many comments and questions. Some of them had knowledge of what the speakers were going to say\, but others were new to the topic and felt that the session was enlightening and provocative. \n   \nErnie Fazio \n   \nSponsor for this meeting – Campola\, Middleton & McCormick – Thank you \n   \nLIMBA staff \, Annette Krauss\, and Ken Nevor . Michelle Zere was the director for this program and it was great topic. Thanks \n   \nLI News Radio 103.9 was taping the meeting and will play excerpts on the air -Thank you station manager Matt Goldapper. \n   \nOur door prize today was two tickets to any show at the Engeman Theater in Northport from the owner\, Kevin O’Neil- Thanks \n   \nMuch thanks to all the participants for an excellent program – Bill Miller and Ernie Fazio URL:https://limba.net/calendar/steve-levy-panel-center-for-cost-effective-government/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140314T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140314T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140314T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140314T040000Z UID:4587-1394755200-1394755200@limba.net SUMMARY:LIMBA attends LICA meeting DESCRIPTION:Mark Herbst announced today that the Long Contractors Association will be holding its legislators breakfast on March 14. Details will follow. LIMBA members are encouraged to attend \nErnie Fazio \n  URL:https://limba.net/calendar/limba-attends-lica-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140307T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140307T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140307T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140307T050000Z UID:4588-1394150400-1394150400@limba.net SUMMARY:LIMBA Richard Margulis\, Pres. Brookhaven Memorial Hosp. DESCRIPTION:  \nBrookhaven Memorial Hospital president Richard Margulis was our speaker. He dispelled some notions that perhaps some of us had. BMH is an independent hospital and as an independent facility\, can it be competitive in terms of services offered? The answer appears to be yes. The larger hospitals often take a regional approach to care. They will concentrate on several areas of health and assign patients to other hospital out of that narrow area of expertise. \nBrookhaven must take a different approach\, and must have diverse capabilities\, by necessity. \n   \nIn the case of heart ailments time is important. Quick remedial action is often the difference between living and dying. Therefore the hospital is planning a major addition for their cardio unit. In addition they have built a family medicine unit in North Bellport. North Bellport is a low income community with many residents having no insurance. The unit has been built to provide patients with on-going care. A place where when a patient comes in their will be prior knowledge of the patients’ medical profile. The cost of treating patients is less than emergency room visits. In addition to cost considerations emergency room care is often too late. Lower cost and better outcomes are the goal\, and this facility is accomplishing that. \n   \nWhen asked about the effects of The Affordable Care Act\, Margulis said that so far he has not seen any adverse effects. \n   \nThe New cardio unit will cost $60 million and will fill a serious need. There are four such facilities in western Suffolk\, but this will be the only one serving the east end. \n   \nMr Magulis discussed the economic impact of the hospital. There are over 500 doctors associated with the unit\, and approximately 500 nurses. The annual revenues of the hospital are in excess of $820 million. Mr Margulis presentation was very encouraging that better care for this community is available. We came away from the meeting with a deeper appreciation of the value of the medical service being administered. \n   \nThis meeting was sponsored by Nickerson Corporate Interiors Joe Ogno was representing Nickerson. URL:https://limba.net/calendar/limba-richard-margulis-pres-brookhaven-memorial-hosp/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140306T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140306T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140306T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140306T050000Z UID:4615-1394064000-1394064000@limba.net SUMMARY:BNL Event To Be Confirmed DESCRIPTION: URL:https://limba.net/calendar/bnl-event-to-be-confirmed/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140306T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140306T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140306T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140306T050000Z UID:4617-1394064000-1394064000@limba.net SUMMARY:Peter M. Curtis DESCRIPTION:Peter M. Curtis \nPresident \nPower Management Concepts\, LLC \nApplied Science Center for HLS \n510 Grumman Road West\, Suite 211 \nBethpage\, New York 11714 \n516.465.0188 x7838 \n516.870.7838 – Direct \npcurtis@powermanage.com \nwww.powermanage.com URL:https://limba.net/calendar/peter-m-curtis/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140221T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140221T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140221T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140221T050000Z UID:4589-1392940800-1392940800@limba.net SUMMARY:Fishbat Social Media Workshop DESCRIPTION:Friday’s meeting was a good overview of modern communication in business. The meeting was dubbed Business Bootcamp and it was the first of several that we will be hosting. Our visiting experts were the principals of Fishbat. Fishbat prides itself with being attuned to effective ways to communicate services and products of its clients to their target market through the use of digital media. \nJennifer Calise and Clay Darrohn were the presenters and one of their first things they mentioned was the precision of the message is beyond anything that could have been done in years gone by. We now have the ability to target market our commercial messages in a digital forward media to an audience that will probably be interested. The example they gave was a restaurant that wanted to reach a certain age segment in a limited radius. If you want to reach an audience that is between the ages of 25 and 55 because you have statistics that indicate that this age segment tends to eat out\, you can do that.  You can refine your criteria in numerous ways to make sure your efforts are received by the people who might want your services. \nClay and Jennifer went into some detail on the use of Facebook and other vehicles that you can enlist to make your campaign more successful. During the Q&A specific questions were posed that were answered by our presenters. The message in the room was that we are living in a truly different environment and that environment is constantly changing. \nUsing the various tools that we have at our disposal our campaigns to create an efficient stream of business has improved. Understanding those tools with all the possibilities as well as limitations are essential to launching and sustaining a business campaign. \nOur meeting was sponsored by Matrix Corporate Park and they generously donated two 50 inch flat screen TV’s for door prizes. Our winners were Merrill Zorn from Zorn’s Catering and Chris Banks from Brookhaven Memorial Hospital. Congratulations! \nThis program was largely the efforts of Michelle Zere. Great job\, Michelle! I also want to thank Annette Krauss and Ken Nevor for helping Bill Miller with the registration desk \nOur next two meetings are; \n March 7th – Richard Margulis\, President of Brookhaven Memorial Hospital \nMarch 21st – Steve Levy and NY Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick – Cost Effective Government \nErnie Fazio URL:https://limba.net/calendar/fishbat-social-media-workshop/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140207T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140207T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140207T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140207T050000Z UID:4585-1391731200-1391731200@limba.net SUMMARY:Ross Ain\, President Caithness Long Island DESCRIPTION:The Caithness Company is no stranger to LIMBA. This morning Caithness President\, Ross Ain\, discussed the new 350 megawatt plant that has been proposed. The original plant that Caithness completed in 2009 was the most efficient power plant that was ever built on Long Island. The new plant will use techniques that will further improve efficiency and operating range. \nMr. Ross made a painstaking explanation of how current plants operate. First explaining the difference between single cycle operations and combined cycle plants such as the Caithness design including the plant they built 4 years ago. Then he explained the efficiencies that are realized with the new plants. Older plants produce more pollution when they are operating at the optimum levels\, than the new plants\, but at reduced power they actually become even more polluting. The modern Combined Cycle plants remain at maximum cleanliness even when they are powered down to 50%. \nIn addition they can power up or down very quickly. The old power plants can takes as much as 24 hours. The reason why that is important is because we need that kind of flexibility when we are introducing more and more solar and wind generation. With solar and wind the flow of electrons can be reduced by storm clouds\, and falling levels of wind. We need a system that can take up the slack quickly in order to make wind and solar more viable. \nFuel is one of the big cost items in producing power\, lower fuel consumption brings substantial savings\, and the new plant as well as the existing Caithness plant\, use much less fuel that any other power plant on Long Island. When the power is sold it gets preference over other power plants because they can deliver the generating capacity at lower cost. Other power plants still get some of the ordered power because the need is greater than Caithness can provide. That will change as this new power comes on line\, but the demand for power is still growing\, and the PSE&G will still be using other plants to make up the difference. \nRoss explained that the plant uses very little water\, the cooling process is similar to the closed loop that we see in our automobiles. Instead of requiring access to a large body of water such we have in Northport\, Port Jefferson and other locations on Long Island\, the coolant is recirculated and cooled in “cooling Towers.” The process not only saves water\, it avoids thermal pollution of the surrounding waters that seriously effect marine life. \nThe Q&A that followed was quite lively. There were people in the room that were knowledgeable about power plants in general as well as this technology and there were people from the environmental community. Those questions allowed the speaker to elaborate and fill in the information. \nErnie Fazio URL:https://limba.net/calendar/ross-ain-president-caithness-long-island/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140124T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140124T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140124T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140124T050000Z UID:4581-1390521600-1390521600@limba.net SUMMARY:St Joseph's Veterans programs DESCRIPTION:St Joseph’s  College Veterans Programs Panel \n \nWe started the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the then Bill Miller introduced the speaker \nThis Friday’s meeting was an in depth discussion on educational opportunities that are available to veterans.   Dir. Vitters brought several fellow staff people from St Josephs’ College. Dr. Vitters is a retired Colonel and his efforts have been directed to using all of the economic support tools that are available. The GI Bill that we associate with the returning vets after WWII is again available today. St Josephs was named as the best college for veterans by US News & World report \nDr. Vitters pointed out that these vets are dealing with stresses that are more severe than those we welcomed home in the past.  The formula for service during an action is 1/3 of the army is at war 1/3 is preparing for war an 1/3 is on leave at home and in general repairing themselves. That is not the case now. It is ½ in a war zone and ½ in preparation for war. That formula is unsustainable. \nSt Joseph’s College has about 5\,000 students between the Brooklyn and Patchogue campus and is among the four highest rated private colleges in the country. They have integrated the enrolled veterans into the campus life and the experience and maturity has had a positive effect on the other students. They come to the school with real job skills and now they have the drive and aptitude to develop themselves further. \nThe funding is called “The Yellow Ribbon Program” It provides $19\,000 to cover the educational program and the college will provide an additional $5000 if that amount is insufficient. The VA will provide another $5\,000 if still needed. So far the students have not exceeded the base amount\, but the extra funding is there of it is needed. But there is more. Student vets get an additional $2700 per month for living expenses\, and $1\,000 for books. \nThe investment in these veterans is particularly important because Long Island has one of the highest concentrations of veterans in the country. The fields of study they are interested in run the gamut from learning rehab for fellow soldiers to child care.   \nWe also learned that Tauro College has a program and Ken Rosenblum was in the audience to tell us of that effort too. Dr. Hubert  Keen president of Farmingdale State College sent a representative\, Eric Farina\, to the meeting as well\, and he gave us a take on services his unit was offering. \nWe learned a lot today about programs that are getting serious attention. \nThere were a number of veterans in the audience and they posed interesting questions and made a few suggestions. \nErnie Fazio \n  \n\nIn the Photo: Shannon O’Neil\, Dr. Gail Lamberta\, Bill Miller\, Dr. Al Vitters\, and Dr. Steve Fuchs. URL:https://limba.net/calendar/st-josephs-veterans-programs/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140117T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140117T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140117T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140117T050000Z UID:4583-1389916800-1389916800@limba.net SUMMARY:LIMBA/BOCES Event DESCRIPTION:Today’s program took us to the Edward Miliken Training Center in Oakdale. The facility houses the technical training program that Eastern Suffolk BOCES uses to impart numerous practical skills ranging from solar electric installations\, nursing\, diesel mechanics\, and auto repair to audio-visual training\, and various other important skills needed in industry. The unit is now called "The Academy of Applied Technology." \n   \nIt would be a mistake to think that the academy is just producing skilled craftspeople. They are in fact giving the students an education that demands that the science of their work is understood. Students are no longer faced with the stark choice of going to college or working as a laborer. The objective is to give the students salable skills and a background that encourages pursuit of higher education\, if they choose that course later. \n   \nThe academy is staffed with teachers that are from industry and know the skills that they are teaching by actually having to have had made a living doing it. They are practitioners first before ever teaching. That real world knowledge is essential to making a program like this work. \n   \nWhile at the meeting this morning I mentioned that when I come into the building the students and staff are open and friendly. They greet you in the hall and smile. I asked if that friendliness is promoted by the school. The answer they gave is no\, and Julie Lutz\, the administrator there\, noted that learning disabled students that are referred from other schools in the system have a high rate of success. The reason for the success with those students and the good attitude in general could be that achieving something worth doing has a calming effect. There were a few people in the room that have benefited by the programs and they supported the notion that education received there was worthwhile. \n   \nPresenting was District Superintendent Dean Lucera and Leah Arnold Director of Technical Education\, Picture shown\, and Superintendent of Educational Service Julie Davis Lutz. \n   \nErnie Fazio URL:https://limba.net/calendar/limbaboces-event/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20140109T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20140109T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20140109T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20140109T050000Z UID:4610-1389225600-1389225600@limba.net SUMMARY:Kevin Law DESCRIPTION: URL:https://limba.net/calendar/kevin-law/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20131213T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20131213T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20131213T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20131213T050000Z UID:4582-1386892800-1386892800@limba.net SUMMARY:LIMBA Holiday Gathering DESCRIPTION:James Graseck will be playing for us again. We call Jim the "Victor Borge" of the violin. We will also have comedian Harry Freedman. Harry has worked our room before in 2002 and was a big hit. He also brought us the ventriloquist Vince Dantona\, and comedian John LaRocchia. This is always a well attended event. At present we are 25% sold out. \nWe are looking for several sponsors for this event. \n \n  URL:https://limba.net/calendar/limba-holiday-gathering-3/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20131129T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20131129T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20131129T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20131129T050000Z UID:4579-1385683200-1385683200@limba.net SUMMARY:Thanksgiving weekend - no meeting DESCRIPTION: URL:https://limba.net/calendar/thanksgiving-weekend-no-meeting-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20131115T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20131115T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20131115T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20131115T050000Z UID:4576-1384473600-1384473600@limba.net SUMMARY:LIMBA program - Helena Williams LIRR president DESCRIPTION:  \nOur speaker this morning was Long Island Railroad President Helena Williams. Helena has been our guest speaker at LIMBA each year for the last few years. Her mission today was to inform us of the various projects the railroad is working on. \n  \nThe principal effort of today’s discussion was the second track on the Ronkonkoma line. The electrification of the Ronkonkoma line was accomplished in the mid 1990’s but only one track was active.(That was a project a LIMBA requested) But Ms. Williams pointed out that although the rail system could not find the money for the second track\, however the electrical substations were built robust enough to support the additional track. That made the building the second track less of a burden\, and now it is coming to fruition\, she credited the past leadership’s foresight. \n  \nDouble track will advance the efforts of the LI MacArthur airport to regain passengers and be profitable. It will have an impact on economic development by allowing reverse commutes. Williams expects to be able to have half hourly service in both directions during off-peak times\, resulting in a substantial increase in service. \n  \nBeyond the service improvements are the economic benefits of engaging workers building the infrastructure. \n  \nThe resiliency of the system by making this second track improvement will also serve us better when we suffer large scale disasters such we saw in hurricane Sandy and what we are now seeing in the Philippines. \n  \nWilliams pointed out that some of the planning that was done over 100 years ago served us well. The tunnels leading into Penn Station were built at a much lower level than the station itself. These tunnels did take on water but Penn Station was spared\, and that would have been a much worse situation. Helena stated before she closed that the mainline improvements are essential when you consider the growing frequency and ferocity of weather patterns. \n  \nThere are so many good reasons for making the proposed improvements and outreach to the community is essential to making the public aware and winning support for the railroad. That’s what she accomplished today. \n  \nThis meeting was sponsored by Greenman Pedersen Inc.\, an engineering firm that has expertise in railroad planning and design as well as other disciplines. Team leader Denise Carter introduced the speaker- Thank you Greenman Pedersen. \n  \nErnie Fazio URL:https://limba.net/calendar/limba-program-helena-williams-lirr-president/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20131101T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20131101T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20131101T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20131101T040000Z UID:4578-1383264000-1383264000@limba.net SUMMARY:Gary Richard - PC Richard & Son LI Success Story DESCRIPTION:At LIMBA we like to vary our programs. This week I reached out to Gary Richard of PC Richard & Son fame. Although I met Gary almost 30 years ago it never occurred to me to ask him to speak at LIMBA. The story of a family owned business remaining in the family for 104 years is unusual to say the least. \nThe meeting began by him giving us a brief timeline of how his grandfather went from a penniless immigrant from Holland to a hardware store owner\, appliance repair shop\, and appliance sales. \nGary is very comfortable having an enlarged conversation with the group rather than a formal presentation and very quickly we shifted to that mode. He answers questions with directness and humor and is able to take a little ribbing as well. \nHe had a picture of the hardware store that his parents operated with an apartment upstairs where he was born\, and he told us of that experience. The company blossomed under his father’s management with a philosophy that hasn’t changed over the years. “We don’t make sales\, we make customers.” \nWhen asked how do you perpetuate a family business and keep the well-educated and capable children interested in the business\, “the business must become your life\,” according to Gary. And because a substantial business needs people of varying skills\, the members of the family are likely to find a spot that they can excel in. When you have logistics\, store management\, warehousing\, human resources\, repair shops and other needs\, there is room for a wide variety of skills and interests. \nMr. Richard spoke about the growth spurts that occurred when the company absorbed the locations of the failed enterprises of Newmark & Lewis and later Circuit City. When Newmark and Lewis was operating they were doing about $200 million in sales and so was PC Richard\, a year later PC Richard was doing more than $380 million in sales. Most of those additional sales were a result of retaining most of the Newmark & Lewis customer base. \nThe company considered going public against the advice of Gary’s father. After the investment house went through their dog and pony show and the deal was set Gary told the bankers that the deal was off. They insisted that they all go to dinner and have a few drinks and resolve the differences. “Why not\, let’s have a good meal and enjoy some wine since we are never going to see these guys again.” \nHe didn’t have the heart to pull the trigger because all of what he and the two generations that came before him had built would be lost. \nThe employees of PC Richard & Son have had health insurance for the last 60 years. They will not keep a location going if the activity is low because it erodes the morale of the workforce. It is this kind of thinking that tells you that a satisfied workforce is as important as a satisfied customer base\, and the two thoughts are closely related. \nThis program was sponsored by JVC Broadcasting and John Caracciolo. JVC had their sound technicians in the room and they taped the meeting. After the meeting JVC Broadcasting conducted a one-on-one interview with Mr. Richard URL:https://limba.net/calendar/gary-richard-pc-richard-son-li-success-story/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20131025T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20131025T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20131025T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20131025T040000Z UID:4580-1382659200-1382659200@limba.net SUMMARY:Mfg Back to Suffolk -Anne Shybunko-Moore\, President\, GSE DESCRIPTION:Anne Shybunko Moore was our speaker Friday morning.  Shybunko is president of GSE Industries. GSE has a long history on Long Island but had purchased land in Georgia a few years ago and built a manufacturing facility.  It all seemed so attractive but a trained workforce was less available. And retention of those who were hired was difficult. The decision to bring that operation to Long Island was motivated by the confidence the company had in our local labor force. Some of the Georgia personnel did come to Long Island but most of the hires were recruited here on Long Island. \nGSE had an option to locate in South Carolina near the new Boeing manufacturing facility. It may have been a good fit because the carbon fiber materials that GSE makes are used in aircraft. Anne opted to make the relocation to Long Island because of the confidence in the region. She said she also like living here. \nSuffolk County IDA president\, Anthony Manetta was also on the program and gave the audience information on the workings of the agency. According to Manetta poaching of Long Island business is an event that happens every day. Retaining business is more than tax abatement strategies\, there are services rendered to business to help them prosper and remain in place. These services are quite straight forward and available to any company that can demonstrate a plan for a successful business. That point was made when someone asked if Anne Shybunko’s company received preferential treat ment because she had a woman owned business.  Help received from the IDA was based on the merits of the company’s application stated Shybunko URL:https://limba.net/calendar/mfg-back-to-suffolk-anne-shybunko-moore-president-gse/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20131018T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20131018T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20131018T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20131018T040000Z UID:4569-1382054400-1382054400@limba.net SUMMARY:Dr Sam Stanley - Pres.of SUNY Stony Brook TBC Nat Grid Spons DESCRIPTION:  \n \nOur speaker this morning at LIMBA was Dr. Samuel Stanley\, president of SUNY Stony Brook. We asked him to speak about the economic impact of the university. Dr Stanley brought with him two of the contact people that could assist the business community in doing business with the institution. \nStanley began by discussing the funding which has come under pressure lately but he had an optimistic report that allowed savings in personnel and learned efficiencies to enable the school to grow with only modest tuition increases. \nOnce funding problems are solved planning becomes easier. In the plans are a net 250 new faculty members\, but these faculty people will be doing mostly research and that means that money to fund those individuals will be forthcoming\, and those pursuits tend to generate more funding This adds the economic strength of the region. \nSUNY 2020 \nWork is being done on Smart Grid Technology\, Energy Efficiency\, and Coastal Management. These efforts are essential to residents\, business\, tourism\, and commuting. \nThere are two new medical building being built one of them will be a $220 million dollar investment. This is a very large construction job\, but the finished product will generate many permanent jobs. \nStony Brook’s education mission is aligned with science and technology and that in and by itself very important\, but the university maintains a theater\, The Staller Center. It has a stadium and an active sports program. All of these assets help funnel assets into the local economy. \nThe Q&A that came after Sam’s formal remarks was interesting too. It was a fast moving back and forth that allowed a lot of the people in the audience to take part. Dr Stanley adeptly handled each question with a level of confidence that we expect of someone with his background. We were not disappointed. \nErnie Fazio \nThank you Ken Nevor Anna Krause\, and Anna Marie Woodroof for helping with the meeting registration and greeting the guests. \nThis meeting was sponsored Ray Homberger and National Grid URL:https://limba.net/calendar/dr-sam-stanley-pres-of-suny-stony-brook-tbc-nat-grid-spons/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20131004T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20131004T000000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001520 CREATED:20131004T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20131004T040000Z UID:4560-1380844800-1380844800@limba.net SUMMARY:LIMBA Steve Levy- Center for Cost Effective Government DESCRIPTION:Our speaker this morning at LIMBA was former County Executive Steve Levy. Steve established the "Center for Cost Effective Government" for the purpose of "preventing municipal government from going over the cliff." \n  \nLevy described the current problems as two parts. Revenues are reduced and expenses continue to rise. Revenues will again rise in the future\, but the revenues will be constantly lagging increasing costs\, according to Steve. \n  \nLevy sees the biggest hole in the bucket being personnel costs. He states the problem is not just that municipal salaries are high\, pensions and work rules are really killing the goose. \n  \nPension funding is based on market fluctuations. The "guaranteed benefit" plans that are in place: \n   \n1) Dictate that the taxpayer needs to reach deeper into his pockets when the stock investments under-perform. Ironically the taxpayers are also hurting from their own losses. \n   \n2) Overtime in the final years of employment increases the pay-out\, instead of basing the payout on the regular salary. "That is why we see enormous pension payouts" \n   \n3) 20 year retirements mean we can conceivably be paying a police officer that came on the force at age 22 and retiring at 42 another 40 or more years. \n   \n4) Mandatory arbitration. Arbitrators are hired by the unions and always find for the highest increase in order to get re-hired again. \n   \n5) Work rules. -Vacations\, holidays\, paid sick leave\, and personal days amount to 100 days. If you add in weekends they are working less than half as many days as there are in the year.    \n   \n6) Step increases- (Tri borough Agreement) Step increases are not part of the union negotiations. If the contract expires\, the step increases continue. This takes the pressure off the union to negotiate. \n   \n7) Disability retirements increased 648% since 1959 Levy finds this rate of disability very suspect since we have safety programs that were unknown in 1959\, including OSHA legislation. Fraud in LIRR retirements is the most visible example\, but we must examine the rest of the municipal workforce. \n  \nBeyond that Levy asserts that we are an enormous regional population that gets short-funded from Albany and Washington. New York City has 9 million people and garnered $30 billion in federal funds. We on Long Island celebrate if we get a few hundred thousand and we have 3 million people. "If it were proportional we would be getting $10 billion." \n  \nMr. Levy came to us armed with many facts and examples for the audience to question\, and they did. \n  \nErnie Fazio \n  \nThis Meeting was sponsored by M&T Bank and Bill Miller. Thank you! URL:https://limba.net/calendar/limba-steve-levy-center-for-cost-effective-government/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR