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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Limba
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060915T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060915T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060915T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060915T040000Z
UID:4196-1158278400-1158278400@limba.net
SUMMARY:Bob Yaro\, Pres\, Regional Plan Association
DESCRIPTION:Members and friends \nOur speaker was supposed to be the president of the Regional Plan Association\, Bob Yaro. Unfortunately he could not attend but was successful in finding another person in the organization to make a John Adkins\, who leads the RPA efforts in Connecticut was our speaker instead.\n \nIn June the RPA convened a mayors conference that took place at Adelphi. That conference was very enlightening to the mayors of Long Island. Mayor Paul Pontieri of Patchogue was in the room today and he had attended that conference. Mr Pontieri offerred that the conference was useful in seeing how other villages approached various problems. Each village has its own quirks and traditions but there are always some things that transcend. I suggested that a broader spectrum of the population be asked to participate in an open forum that would address many issues of planning\, and LIMBA should host such a meeting. Having a good idea of what may be done will give the people who have the trainning in planning\, to create what is perceived as being needed. I asked Mr. Adkins to bring that thought to the RPA board\, and be one of the major players.\n \nMr. Adkins limited his remarks to a few chosen subjects\, but we did spend some time on an important LIMBA goal\, enhancing rail freight. The RPA is enthusiastic about Congressman Nadler’s proposed cross harbor rail tunnel. He also thought the freight transload centers were a reasonable answer to the problem of abandoned rail spurs.\n \nThe RPA is predicting 4 million new people in the tri-state region over the next 20 years\, therefor the emphasis on transportation is in the forefront. Of course another LIMBA initiative\, the Shreham to New Haven ferry is an important part of those efforts. These projects are needed for the economy and the environment\, and now with Homeland Security at risk\, they are imperitive.\n 
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/bob-yaro-pres-regional-plan-association/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060908T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060908T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060908T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060908T040000Z
UID:4204-1157673600-1157673600@limba.net
SUMMARY:Steve Levy\, County Executive
DESCRIPTION:This morning our speaker County Executive\, Steve Levy addressed a number of issues that were of interest to the gathered guests. He explained the role of an executive in contrast to a legislator. As the county executive your programs and budgets have to recognize that one action may be in competition with another valid need. He didn’t describe it this way\, but apparently\, as an executive you are in a Solomonesque  situation. \nThe County Executive describes himself as a fiscal conservative\, and his actions indicate that he cares about dollars spent. “There is a need to provide services to the people\, but higher taxes\, can kill the goose that lays the golden egg.” Therefor a delicate balance is Levy’s goal.\nHe claims to have lowered cost by limiting services available to the executive and his staff. Most of the cars used by the executive department are gone. His own salary was cut upon him taking office. “You don’t solve a budget crises with these measures\, but you do set an example.” He said that the county must look for ways of raising revenues as well cutting costs. One of the ways he raised revenues was the leasing of county owned building roofs for cell phone towers. \nHe is an advocate of innovative ways of getting things done. As an example he contracted with the Town of Southampton to plow county roads. “After all their equipment is already clearing town own roads\, Why not let them keep going and clear county roads\, and save the county the trouble\, and we’ll pay them?”\nA similar approach to schools was proposed by Mr. Levy. He recognizes the difficulty of consolidating schools\, but consolidating services to schools can be achieved without the specter of losing local control\, a concept that the public likes. Pooling of school health plans are another example of savings opportunity. \nAffordable housing was also a passionate goal of Mr. Levy. Given the fact that the major cost of housing is land\, and the county owns a lot of it. Using that land in an intelligent plan to build these homes can alleviate the housing cost and fill those needs. \nHis goal of preservation of open land has resulted in the equivalent of three Central Parks being preserved. \nEarly in Mr. Levy’s presentation he discussed the need for an honest and transparent fiscal plan that makes sense to investors. As a result of that care to the balancing of the budget Suffolk County has enjoyed excellent bond ratings. Playing it straight in this area saves the taxpayers money\, according to Levy.\nPictured: Steve Levy\, Kevin Gershowitz\, from Gershow Recycling and Ernie Fazio\, Limba
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/steve-levy-county-executive/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060901T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060901T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060901T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060901T040000Z
UID:4203-1157068800-1157068800@limba.net
SUMMARY:No Meeting Labor Day Weekend
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/no-meeting-labor-day-weekend-4/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060825T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060825T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060825T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060825T040000Z
UID:4210-1156464000-1156464000@limba.net
SUMMARY:Vivian Viloria Fisher
DESCRIPTION:Today our speaker was Vivian Viloria-Fisher. Vivian is a Suffolk County legislator. The conversation was focused on an important emotional issue involving illegal immigrant labor.\nThere is bill that requires that all Suffolk County contracts use legal labor. Viloria-Fisher was very good at presenting the issue and the various slants on the issue. Her presentation was a fair exposition of the motivations for voting on this issue\, whether you are for it or against it. Here are some of the implications\nThis bill is presented as having no cost. No cost? How then do you enforce a law that does not estimate the cost of enforcement\, which is required? The contractors that do business with the county who are operating on the up and up\, often expose the “cheaters” as they refer to them. Thereby rendering the law redundant. The law appears to supersede the federal immigration laws\, which is prohibited\, and lends this law to endless challenge and expense defending it. On the other side.\nThere is a perceived or real problem that deprives legitimate businesses of the opportunity to deal with the county on a level playing field. There have only been a few complaints against the county for engaging contractors who were hiring these illegal\, and therefore an expensive exercise in solving a problem that really doesn’t exist. Labor is divided on this issue and many of them think this legislation has the aura of racism associated with it.\nAt the end of the discussion Vivian gave us her feelings\, and she believed it was inappropriate for the county to adopt this legislation\, and was against it. The votes at the moment are 14 for\, and four against. It looks like a go.\nAnother piece of legislation that was discussed was a proposal to regulate scrap recyclers in a the same way as pawn brokers. The idea behind this legislation is to create a chain of custody of every bucket of brass\, every junked refrigerator\, every bucket of electricians scrap copper\, in order to track stolen metals. I read this piece of legislation\, and it is onerous. For example\, and this is one of many unmanageable requirements of this legislation\, a laborer who scrambles to pick up recyclable metals at a construction site would be considered a scrap dealer and would have to register as a scrap dealer. He would have to be bonded and licensed in order to be able to sell the scrap metal he picks up. Yeah! That aint happening. Moreover there have only been a handful of complaints. Another case of overkill? I think so!. \nPictured: Vivian Viloria Fisher\, Sufolk Legislator and Kevin Gershowitz from Gershow Recycling
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/vivian-viloria-fisher/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060818T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060818T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060818T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060818T040000Z
UID:4197-1155859200-1155859200@limba.net
SUMMARY:Dr Lee Koppleman\, Planning and the Region
DESCRIPTION:Dr Lee Koppelman spoke at LIMBA and it has been about 12 years since he last spoke there. The master planner was generally in good spirits about the way Long Island has developed.\nHe began by citing the economic importance of the Long Island region. Suffolk County\, for example\, is still the largest agricultural county in the state of New York. Long Island with an annual Gross Domestic Product of $130 billion is bigger than more than half of the states in the union\, and bigger than most of the counties in the world.\n \nHe proudly pointed out the Hauppauge Industrial Park as an important contributor to this healthy economy. According to Koppelman It is a model for the rest of the country\, and possibly the most important facility of its kind. Lee reminded us of an earlier time when Long Island lost 110\,000 skilled jobs with the demise of the then\, robust defense industry\, but it was that defense industry that provided Long Island with the intellectual assets we needed to transform this economy and diversify. Dr. Koppelman expressed some concern about outsourcing\, but not because of call centers popping up in India\, but the loss of the good manufacturing jobs.\n \nDr Koppelman is the author of several pieces of legislation that protects open land\, and while he is happy that those measures were adopted\, in most cases the voters were more interested in arresting growth than aiding conservation.\n \nLee was less concerned about immigration than some of the pandering political types\, pointing out that as far immigration is concerned we’ve been there before. The Italians the Irish\, the Germans and the Jews were all “threats” in their time. The threat is not what it seems was the essence of his message.\n \nDr Koppelman was enthusiastic about our educational institutions and our world renown facilities at Cold Spring Harbor and Brookhaven National Labs. The future\, he feels will be very much shaped by these quality institutions and schools. And that future is heading in a positive direction. \n \nHe was less than sanguine about the prospects of rail freight when I asked a question about improving it\, citing objections from the passenger division and rail infrastructure deficiencies coming into NY City. (some of those problems are being addressed presently).\n \nDr Koppelan spoke breifly about the floating gas facility proposed by Broadwater and suggested that we allow the full process to proceed\, and learn as much as we can to see if this facility represents a net gain for the region. (That\, by the way\, is the position of LIMBA)\n \nHis biggest disappointment appeared to be the lack of sewers that will be needed to support better growth. The Southwest Sewer District scandal\, still has politicians running for cover whenever the topic is broached. Saying sewering to a politician is a little like Bud Abbot saying “Niagara Falls” to that maniac in that old  comedy classic film. (Sorry\, you have to be old enough to remember that bit)\n \n\nPictured: Judy McEvoy and Dr. Lee Koppelman
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/dr-lee-koppleman-planning-and-the-region/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060811T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060811T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060811T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060811T040000Z
UID:4198-1155254400-1155254400@limba.net
SUMMARY:Dr Matt Cordaro\, Dean of College of Management\, LIU
DESCRIPTION:Dr Cordaro\, Dean of the School of Management at LIU\, gave us an overview of the courses that are being offerred at the LIU\, which included criminal justice\, social work\, and not for profit. But that was the usual list of special training. What I thought was more interesting and important was the approach to teaching at the graduate level.\n \nMatt spoke of accreditation. Accreditation is a big item\, and standards are adhered to\, to create the quality of education that is widely respected. Universities on Long Island are very competitive. Most of them are keenly aware of the need to excel.  According to Cordaro\, this results in lifting the standards of all schools.\n \nThe MBA oriented “Accelerated International Business Program” is a concept that I thought was particularly interesting. The IABP is a one year program  beginning at the Post campus\, continuing in London\, and completing in Paris. It is easy to see why a program such as this would be popular. This is the kind of innovation that teaches a lot more than the formal course work.\n \nThere is  globalization of education has students coming from all over the world. There is also cooperation in teaching. There is a US and China university program that results in a diploma being issued from both LIU and the Chinese counterpart. \n \nCordaro spoke about the “non traditional” student. The older person\, the retired person\, and the otherwise fully employed. Accommodating these students is challenging\, but there are courses available to them\, and they are not only are taught in the evening\, but Saturdays and Sundays. There are also on-site programs that are being developed for large companies\, and these programs have been around for some time. As our lives\, and perception of our needs continue to change\, these programs are expanding and becoming more numerous. \n \nOne of my questions to Matt was; How does higher education teach “common sense”? I was surprised to hear that common sense is a consideration. And while being a rote student may lead to high marks\, a good education requires a sense of all things\, in total being considered.\n \nWhen Dr Cordaro has spoken at LIMBA in the past the topic was electrical energy. We didn’t let him go without him addressing at least one question. According to Cordaro\, LIPA has done a good job of increasing the amount of available power. He feels they have fallen short of the mark when it comes to cycling out old transformers and other infrastructure. The system is vulnerable because this kind of maintenance must be on schedule\, or failures will come with the stress of hot weather appears. \n \nPictured: Mike DeLouise\, Dowling College\, Terry Townsend\, Dowling College\, Dr. Matthew Cordaro\, our speaker From LI University \n \n 
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/dr-matt-cordaro-dean-of-college-of-management-liu/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060804T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060804T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060804T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060804T040000Z
UID:4205-1154649600-1154649600@limba.net
SUMMARY:Steve Jones "Water and Land Use Principles"
DESCRIPTION:Today’s meeting sponsor\, Cliff Sondock\, the Executive Director of The Land Use Institute\, and Steve Jones\, CEO of Suffolk County Water Authority\, presented a program to dispel myths about water and land use.\n \nAccording to Mr Sondock\, water quality preservation is being used as an excuse to limit how land may be used. Whatever arguments are being used to limit development\, water should definitely not one of them\, according to our presenters.\n \nMr. Jones went into a fairly detailed explanation of how water is extracted and treated. There are several aquifers that can be accessed by the water company. Each of them having their own benefits and cost. However in all cases the water being extracted can be treated and used\, it’s really just a matter of cost. In most cases it makes sense to avoid contamination by creating wells where the water has not suffered any adulteration. The SCWA’s operating principle is to extract water at the lowest cost without compromising quality. \n \nSome of the myths that were cited are;\n    Development is always harmful to the water supply\n    Development near drinking water well is especially harmful\n    Too much development will cause us to run out of drinking water\n    Underground aquifers once polluted can never be cleaned up\n \nThe water that is stored in the vast sand bank of long island is believed to be 100 Trillion gallons. It would take 300 years to run out of water at our present use rates if it never rained during that period. Long Island with an average annual rainfall of 40 inches is far more than is needed. Less than 20 inches is needed to replace the water we use. \n \nThis ever accumulating dome of water leaches out into the ocean and the sound despite the fact that we are constantly using it. Each of the “myths” are not true mostly attributable to this overflowing vast supply water. Where contamination is found\, remedial methods may prove too costly\, and that well will be abandoned.\n \nPictured\,  from left to right:  Steve Jones – CEO Suffolk County Water\, Vivian Viloria Fisher- Suffolk County legislator\, Cliff Sondock -Executive Director\, The Land Use Institute:
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/steve-jones-water-and-land-use-principles/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060728T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060728T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060728T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060728T040000Z
UID:4195-1154044800-1154044800@limba.net
SUMMARY:Freight Rails Update - Fred Krebs
DESCRIPTION:Our speaker this morning was NY & Atlantic RR’s president\, Fred Krebs. Mr Krebs began freight operations on Long Island about the middle of year in 1997. Since then the increase of freight has been relatively constant with the exception of the balance of 2001 and 2002.(due to 9/11)\n \nIn 1998\, which was the first full year 9468 freight cars were moved off and on Long Island. This year we are on schedule to move 21\,500 rail cars. This resulted in 956\,175 truckloads being removed from our highways. \n \nTwo years ago Coastal Distribution built a Transload Center as an agent to service the railroad’s freight distribution which includes\, lumber\, appliances\, stone aggregate\, steel\, and many other commodities\, as well as demolition removal business. After carefully designing and incorporating the required dust suppression and all other requirements they (Coastal and NY&Atlantic) approached the town of Babylon to get any permits that may be needed. The town said they were on railroad property and exempt from local control. The facility was built and went into business. That facility alone removed more than 37\,000 truckloads from our highways since it opened two years ago.\n \nAccording to Krebs\, after the fact\, the Town of Babylon got a “stop work order” The case went to court and the town lost. The case went back to court in a higher jurisdiction and the town lost again. The magistrate said that Coastal and the railroad had every right to operate in accordance with the federal rules. \n \nOur position at LIMBA has been that freight rails can and must replace as much long haul trucking as possible. The damage to the roads\, the air pollution caused by the trucks\, and the road congestion is not tolerable. \n \nRecently\, the town went to a friendly state Senator\, Owen Johnson and Legislator\, Robert Sweeney to write legislation that would give the town the powers to regulate the railroads. According to NY & Atlantic president Fred Kreb “There is not a single thing that you can do damage the movement of freight than this legislation.” It appears that the owners of Pinelawn Cemetery are behind this legislation.\n \nKrebs told us that there has not been a single complaint on the operation in two years of operation. \nI wrote a letter to governor Pataki asking him not to sign this legislation. It is our position that the players have to talk to each other\, and if there are any legitimate concerns\, work them out. A copy of the text of that letter is attached. \n \nLater in the day I spoke to a Town of Babylon employee in the supervisors office\, and asked that the supervisor come to LIMBA and explain what\, at the moment\, appears to be inexplicable. If the town is bending to the wishes of a well connected individual\, that is in appropriate. Legislation should have the welfare of the general public in mind and not the parochial interests of an individual. I hope Mr. Bellone sees fit to speak to us. We will give the same opportunity to state his case on this issue\, as well as any other issue he has on his mind. \nPictured: Joe Rutigliano\, Coastal Distributors\,Kevin Gershowitz\, Gershow Recycling\, Fred Krebs\, NY&Atlantic RR\, Martin Sternberg\, Coastal Distributors
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/freight-rails-update-fred-krebs/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060721T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060721T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060721T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060721T040000Z
UID:4200-1153440000-1153440000@limba.net
SUMMARY:Round Table Discussion
DESCRIPTION:At Round Table discussions we speak about advancing established goals as well as new things that we should consider. Always interesting
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/round-table-discussion-2/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060714T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060714T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060714T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060714T040000Z
UID:4192-1152835200-1152835200@limba.net
SUMMARY:Hank Ulrich- Port Security Technology
DESCRIPTION:At this mornings meeting a presentation of port security was given by Hank Ulrich. Hank Ulrich created E2E Consulting (E2E =End to End) to market a technology that he has developed. There are many vulnerable points in the journey of a cargo\, the loading dock\, the trucks and rail links that take cargo to the ports\, the ships and the final destination. Each of these transitions have varying degrees of opportunities for mischief.\nThere has been relatively little done to protect the ports up until now\, but this technology as it is proving out\, will be able to track each container that is in transport.\nThis electronic monitoring device is small. It fits across the locking device on the container and is about the size of a carton of cigarettes. The E2E monitor reads all the cargo in the container. It can detect radiation\, but not in a lead shielded environment. However after a cargo has been sealed at the point of origin it will detect any unauthorized opening of the unit\, holes being drilled in the container\, and any deviation of the predetermined route. Where there is a deviation from the predetermined route a secondary device inside the container reports the position of the container by use of GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) accurately pinpointing the location of the container on the globe to an accuracy of 5 feet. (similar to LoJack)\nWhat is particularly compelling about this technology is that it relatively inexpensive. The insurance companies see this as a theft mitigation device. The cost of installing this equipment could be totally offset by lower cargo premiums.\nMr. Ulrich plans to build the system right here on Long Island. If the E2E company can add jobs\, and contribute to the local\, while protecting our ports\, I would say that this is a win all around
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/hank-ulrich-port-security-technology/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060707T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060707T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060707T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060707T040000Z
UID:4199-1152230400-1152230400@limba.net
SUMMARY:NO Meeting
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/no-meeting-12/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060623T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060623T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060623T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060623T040000Z
UID:4193-1151020800-1151020800@limba.net
SUMMARY:Trevor Davis -Small Bus Financial services
DESCRIPTION:This morning’s informative breakfast meeting was about banking. Not traditional banking\, but the kind of banking that can and does help the small business person.\n \nTime was\, according to Community Development Corporation’s Trevor Davis\, when your banker could make an assessment of the lender that would take into consideration unusual and non-recurring events. For example a bankruptcy that was caused by a tragic health problem\, would put a small business lender out of consideration in the traditional banking community. However a loan officer in CDC could make a lending decision based on more complete knowledge of the borrower.\n \nPrior to the time that bankers went to a numerical rating system\, the traditional bankers would do that too\, now those otherwise credit worthy applicants are referred to banks like CDC.\n \nMr. Davis said that there are four kinds of small businesses entrepreneurs and all are important\n1) Survival – I’m in business because I lost my job at GE and I have to survive\n2)Lifestyle – I’m doing what I love and great wealth is of secondary importance\n3)Serial – Create businesses and later sell them or close them depending on viability.\n4) Growth-Here the purpose is to create personal wealth\, and community wealth\, with an eye toward creating a large company\, perhaps even going public.  \n \nNot all of the above\, perhaps none of the above\, would qualify for traditional lending\n \nTraditional bankers have a loan loss expectancy of 1%. The CDC has a default rate of about 4%. I asked if that rate of loss was sustainable\, and the answer was\, yes\, for various reasons including\, that there is no obligation for his bank to show a profit. Other reasons are that there are grants and donations from government and traditional banks to help CDC perform a valuable service.. The good news is that 96% of the loans are paid back\, and that has a social value to the region because many of these small businesses exist because of lay-offs caused by a constantly changing economy.\n \nMr Davis brought up an interesting development that is now being supported by Walmart and Home Depot. Walmart has been offering training for businesses. With the idea that both the local retailer and the big box store can co-exist. Indeed I have seen it happen several times. If you need a supplier that can also answer many of your question\, chances are you’ll be heading to your local hardware store\, not Home Depot. Perhaps the pressure exerted against these retailing giants has borne some significant fruit. These small\, in town stores\, are the natural clientele of the CDC\, and it is important good news that there appears to be a stabilization. That stabilization is aided by the resources made available by banks like the CDC. 
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/trevor-davis-small-bus-financial-services/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060616T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060616T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060616T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060616T040000Z
UID:4191-1150416000-1150416000@limba.net
SUMMARY:Roger Corbin
DESCRIPTION:“The taxes are so high it’s ridiculous” That was the opening statement from Nassau County legislator Roger Corbin at LIMBA this morning. Mr Corbin admitted that what was needed to change things would be difficult.Taking a page out of Ronald Reagan’s book when he could not advance his programs because he was faced with a Democratically dominated congress. said “I’m going to the people” Corbin quoted Reagan. And that’s just what Mr. Corbin is about.\nThe tax disparity in the various tax districts are substantial\, leaving the poorer districts with little industrial and commercial taxes to support them suffering. That\, according to Corbin\, must be corrected. \nRoger cited the cost of schools and the many school districts that the schools that make up the system. He has the firm belief that the schools can be consolidated\, and save an enormous amount of money without adversely affecting the quality of education. He cited as an example the school system in Montgomery County\, Maryland. Since consolidation the schools system is far less costly\, and improved in quality. Recently an evaluation of those schools put them among the 5 best systems in the country. \nMr. Corbin brought to our attention the numerous fire districts citing the ludicrous duplication and inefficiencies in the structure of the this ad hoc creation of these departments. Libraries were another example of inefficiency. Comparing Long Islands balkanized libraries to the citywide system of New York City. “In New York City you can borrow a book in Manhattan and return it in Staten Island.” stated Corbin. “It’s one system.”\nAccording to Corbin these are 19th century policies\, and must be changed Paraphrasing Reagan Corbin said “knock down these tax walls”\nAmong the other topics Roger spoke about was energy independence. He suggested that municipalities should step up and use the solar electric opportunities that presently exist. He said NY State\, and more specifically Long Island should be manufacturing solar panels.  \nThe Corbin’s articulation of the numerous opportunities that we are squandering reminded me of LIMBA’s founder\, Paul Townsend\,  when he was writing his weekly column.
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/roger-corbin/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060609T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060609T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060609T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060609T040000Z
UID:4194-1149811200-1149811200@limba.net
SUMMARY:Civil Liberties Union - Dolores Bilges
DESCRIPTION:This morning we had a presentation from Dolores Bilges\, Executive Director of the NY Civil Liberties Union. NYCLU is the local representatives of the national organization\, ACLU. \n \nWe\, or at least I\, had the image of a large organization with an active agenda. Not so! The NYCLU is a small organization with no legal staff. When they get a complaint and need a lawyer to bring suit\, they hire one or more lawyers. There is however an active board of directors. What surprised me was the makeup of the board. Seventy percent of the board are registered Republicans. \n \nAccording to Ms. Bilges\, the Civil Liberties Union has only one client\, the Constitution of the United States\, and in particular The Bill of Rights. Any suit brought on behalf of any person or group of persons is principally designed to protect those guaranteed freedoms \n \nWe discussed the PATRIOT Act in some detail. The CLU actually supports the bulk of the provisions in the act. However they take exception to the ability to harvest library records\, medical records and other personal information without a warrant. At the same time the PATRIOT Act forbids the person or institution that supplies records from disclosing that the records have been turned over.. \n \nWhen we began the Q&A portion the discussion was lively to say the least. There were some that felt that as long as you have done nothing wrong\, you have nothing to fear. Others were more adamant about keeping the ordinary citizens secrets\, just that\, secret. As the discussion continued there were nuanced rejoinders\, where participants were able to agree that some basic freedoms can be\, and must be\, protected\, while at the same time aggressively tracking terrorists.\n \nAs we were thanking our speaker\, I said that this was a good and honest debate from people who had differences on the topic. This is the debate that never took place in Congress. After 9/11 we were all so eager to stop the carnage demonstrated by the savage blow delivered to America. In their haste and fear Congress approved what many people now see as an over reaction. Of course\, not all the audience saw it that way\, but many of them on both sides of the argument said they were pleased that they attended.
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/civil-liberties-union-dolores-bilges/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060602T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060602T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060602T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060602T040000Z
UID:4190-1149206400-1149206400@limba.net
SUMMARY:Homeland Security - Ken Morelly
DESCRIPTION:Ken Morrelly\, President of Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT) made a presentation this morning on Homeland Security. The state of New York has allotted $25 Million to establish a center for the development of new products that will be used in the effort to protect the nation. This will not be an incubator. The idea is to use technology that is presently available and apply that technology to the needs of security. The physical plant will be occupied by 20 different companies around the state. There will be a high tech theater to illustrate the various ideas that will be explored. Each of the 20 cells will be peopled by 2 individuals from these 20 participating companies. The site will be linked with the various companies throughout the state.\nThe upper floor will be occupied by Northrop Grumman\, and their mission will be homeland defense. They will have 150 people in the building. Some of the validation of present technology will have applications in defense. Otherwise the technology will be used to help create security systems. Mr. Morrelly pointed out to us the there is a distinction between Homeland Security and Homeland Defense.\nThey expect that in an environment such as this there will be cross pollination of ideas as well as a transference of ideas in systems that they are not presently using what is otherwise known. The chance that serendipity will come into play is great.\nWhile working for New York Telephone company many years ago we did something like this quite by accident. When we deployed personnel to tend to an emergency situation in another city the crafts people traded information on procedures that were not used in their home districts. The learning process was amazing even though we all worked from the very same manuals throughout the country they were able to innovate\, and those effective innovations were now taken home when the emergency was over. I expect we will see a similar transference of knowledge in this project.\nLIMBA has as one of its action projects high speed ferries. Another is better access to rail freight. When asked if these issues would be able to benefit from this center\, Morrelly said that transportation was not one of the issues that the center considered\, but those issues do have a homeland security aspect. \nPictured:  Ken Morrelly\, President of Lift and Pat Howley Executive Director of LIFT
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/homeland-security-ken-morelly/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060526T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060526T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060526T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060526T040000Z
UID:4189-1148601600-1148601600@limba.net
SUMMARY:NO MEETING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/no-meeting-memorial-day-weekend/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060519T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060519T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060519T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060519T040000Z
UID:4188-1147996800-1147996800@limba.net
SUMMARY:Lisa Strahs Lorenc -- Long Island Works
DESCRIPTION:This morning our speaker was Lisa Strahs Lorenc\, representing Long Island Works. LI Works was initially set in motion through the offices of LIA. The organization  promotes the interests of businesses and working people.They have several programs such as the intern program\, but this morning we discussed the problem of housing our workforce.\nsee www.nextgenerationhousing.com \n \nEvery major company on Long Island has difficulty securing good workers because the cost of housing is so high. Even though the wages\, in many cases are higher than other states and localities\, there is no way that a competitive business can afford to retain employees by matching wages with the cost of housing. \n \nMs. Lorenc went through the various strategies for providing reasonable housing. She cited a program at Grumman that helps support the down payment of an employee’s home.And there are several programs like the Grumman plan. There is also Habitat for Humanity\, The Housing Partnership. and some private interest builders trying to make a dent in the problem. But the problem continues to grow. What is clear is that the problem will not be solved with one simple solutions\, but rather a myriad of solutions. No silver bullets.\n \nLisa went through some of the “reasons” that more is not done. There is clearly an undertone that the people who would be populating these workforce housing arrangements would be flooding our schools with children\, or they may disturb the racial make-up of the neighborhood\, or that they would be people who would not strive to better themselves. All of these assumptions are myths. We will be providing for the people that are technicians\, medical workers\, and skilled people who\, historically\,  have an excellent record of creating a better life for themselves. \n \nChannel 20 will be airing a program that will address this issue and have Ms. Lorenc as a guest The program is Empowered Voices. It will be shown several times.\n \nGreat meeting\, thanks to all who attended.
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/lisa-strahs-lorenc-long-island-works/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060512T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060512T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060512T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060512T040000Z
UID:4186-1147392000-1147392000@limba.net
SUMMARY:Congressman Steve Israel.- "L I -Center for Energy Research"
DESCRIPTION:The topic this morning was about creating “new” sources of energy. Most of what was discussed is not new. Solar photovoltaic\, bio diesel\, geothermal systems\, ethanol\, are some of the items that were discussed\, and none of them are new.\nWhat may be new is the desire to implement a changed energy environment.. Congressman Steve Israel was our speaker this morning and he is sponsoring a bill in Congress that will create incentives to dramatically increase the employment of these energy technologies. Israel calls his bill “Next Generation Energy Plan.”\nAccording to Steve Israel the efforts to create energy independence is regarded as too hard. “John Kennedy did not take that attitude when we resolved to put a man on the moon.” We in turn must not shrink from the responsibility of changing to fuels and technologies\, we either\, presently have\, or can produce.\nIsrael gave an example of a government program that funds new weapons research. The program is called DARPA. It allows for the research in many questionable technologies that sometime result in a more effective weapons. Mr. Israel questions why we do not create the same kind of funding for energy independence.\nOf course in energy\, we already know that there are many workable technologies. Implementing new technologies and changing infrastructure are the challenges\, and those challenges\, are small potatoes when you compare the effort that was needed when we went to the moon\, or when we created of the original atomic bomb.\nSome of the items in Israel’s proposal are really quite simple. When the federal government replaces 50 thousand vehicles next year\, why not insist on them being hybrids? Or “plug-in hybrids? He asked what manufacturer would not build a car for that demand market? He is proposing a $230 billion “patriotic investment” in various technologies to rid America of the yoke of foreign oil.The $230 billion must be paid for\, and the congressman suggests that merely canceling the latest tax break for those earning more than $400\,000 per year would pay for it.\nHe proposes that municipalities\, schools\, libraries and other public buildings receive funds to retrofit their poorly performing energy systems. He proposes that reward grants be offerred as a prize for innovative developments\, and he would not exclude major corporations from receiving this money as long as we can get the desired results.(We did this many years ago to create the energy efficient refrigerators most of us have in our homes today)\nIsrael said\, in effect buying oil from the Middle East\, puts us in the position of funding both sides in the war against terror. Putting our efforts into energy independence is an important contribution to our national defense.\nWe need\, according to the congressman\, an advanced energy support system to assist in the development of cutting edge energy research and development.\nThere were many energy professionals in the room and there were many questions from the audience. This is definitely a topic that must be revisited and encouraged. pictured: LIMBA President Ernie Fazio \, Congressman Steve Israel and John Hritcko of Broadwater
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/congressman-steve-israel-l-i-center-for-energy-research/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060428T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060428T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060428T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060428T040000Z
UID:4184-1146182400-1146182400@limba.net
SUMMARY:Paul Arfin Intergenerational Strategies\,  Neal Cohen
DESCRIPTION:This morning’s program was on a topic that I think more and more of us will be forced to contemplate. Retirement is no longer a sleepy interlude between the end of your work years and death. Paul Arfin\, executive director of Intergenerational Strategies\, titled his talk “Don’t Retire\, Rewire” The program was sponsored by Merrill Lynch. Merrill Lynch recently did a study on what people expect to be doing in retirement as well as the realities they will face.\n \nThe program began with Neal Cohen of  Merrill Lynch circumscribing the problems of retirement in an environment where people are expected to live into their eighties. Then Paul Arfin went into the strategies and programs that could be beneficial to those who are retiring\n \nA thousand years ago life expectancy was 25 years\, and that did not change much until the 1900’s. In fact when Otto Von Bismarck established age 65 as the retirement age\, very few people lived that long. It would be the equivalent of establishing age 97 as a retirement age today. \n \nPaul Arfin saw the need to assist in helping those retirees\, and convinced County Executive\, Steve Levy to form a commission on “Creative Retirement\,” to address the concerns of this segment of the population. The number of years spent in retirement continues to increase. In retirement people often work\, not for the cash but to keep active\, feel young\, or perhaps doing what they have longed to do\, but never could\, Arfin said.. \n \nAccording to Paul Arfin\, living in a retirement community\, may be fine for some people\, but not very satisfying to others. Many retirees are looking for the opportunity to volunteer and help others for a variety of personal reasons\, including altruism. According to the Merrill Lynch survey 42% of the retirees are looking to do volunteer work\, and one of the functions of Arfin’s organization is to create a registry for that purpose. \nPicture: Paul Arfin Executive Director of Intergenerational Strategies. On the right Neal Cohen representing Merrill Lynch
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/paul-arfin-intergenerational-strategies-neal-cohen/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060421T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060421T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060421T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060421T040000Z
UID:4185-1145577600-1145577600@limba.net
SUMMARY:Anthony Caserta-"Evacuating Long Island"
DESCRIPTION:This morning’s presentation dealt with the possible need to evacuate Long Island. This would be particularly difficult if the bridges and tunnels were not accessible. In the case of a tsunami the water may rise to the point where none of the bridge approaches would be passable because all of them are close to sea level. \nTony Caserta\, a professional  engineer with a wide experience in designing and building innovative designs\, proposed a solution. His 35 years experience as an engineer with Grumman gives him a credibility that supports his projections. He  has proposed a vehicle that would be a school bus\, but would have the unique ability to allow the lower sides of the bus to spread out and act as pontoons. Inside these pontoons would be an engine in each pontoon. The premise is that there is no more a ubiquitous vehicle on Long Island than a school bus (estimated 7\,000 in use). The vehicle would have a land speed of 60 m/p/h on land and a top speed of 24 knots on water. The fact that these vehicles are more or less evenly dispersed across the island and that everyone knows where the local school is lends to the attractiveness of this idea. The vehicle can operate as a land vehicle until it reaches the waters edge and instantly convert to its marine mode. Flooded streets are no obstacle either since the flooded street would become a launch ramp. Established launch ramps at the waters edge are available right now but would we would have to create a few more. \nIn the event that re supplying LI and not evacuation was the needed purpose\, the fold down seats would create a large cargo bed. Mr Caserta’s company Inspecto Corp- Pontiphian Division recently received some funding for the idea\, and a prototype will be built. \nThere were several people in the room that could have something to add in terms of the products they sell. Gerry Fitzpatrick represents Harley shipbuilding.and offerred his hull configuration as part of the pontoon design. Roger Ulanoff offerred his services as a video creator.
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/anthony-caserta-evacuating-long-island/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060414T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060414T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060414T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060414T040000Z
UID:4183-1144972800-1144972800@limba.net
SUMMARY:GOOD FRIDAY -No Meeting
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/good-friday-no-meeting-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060407T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060407T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060407T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060407T040000Z
UID:4187-1144368000-1144368000@limba.net
SUMMARY:Round Table Discussion of Issues.
DESCRIPTION:Last week we had one of our periodic “round table” meetings.The purpose of these meetings is to hear the voices of the participants in order to form new directions.Here are some of the voices that were heard:John Howell mentioned that Pete McGowan\, regardless of his personal prpblems in politics\, should continue to be recognized for the positive steps he made during his tenure. Then reasserted the need for LIMBA to continue transportation solutions that are anwered by more rail freight. In addition the major centers such as the courts should be linked by rail. Extending the Port Jeff line east would better serve Long Island’s north shore as well. Rudy Fusco restated his belief in the opportunities in air polution and availability that bio-diesel would offer. There was some discussion on the iequity of the star program and taxes in general. Bookhaven National Lab -Has apparently been asked to explore solar power more by the federal government. I believe that means money has been allotted to that purpose. Of course this the right direction we should be going\, At a conference at BNL last week the topic of improving solar power efficiency came up\, or rather I asked the question. It appears that the potential for improving photovoltaic (PV) is enormous. They expect that the new technology would at least double the output. Mark Alessi was surprised to see no enacted evacuation plan. We need an economic fair share for LI.
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/round-table-discussion-of-issues/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060331T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060331T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060331T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060331T050000Z
UID:4178-1143763200-1143763200@limba.net
SUMMARY:Rudy Fusco\, Bio Diesel innovator / Sponsor- Mr Parking Lot
DESCRIPTION:Rudy Fusco\, President of Mr. Parking Lot\, made a presentation this morning about Bio-Diesel. Bio-disel has been around for a long time. When Otto Diesel invented the compression ignition engine he planned on using a vegetable derived oil. \nWith the advent of abundant and relatively inexpensive petroleum based oil\, we abandoned the concept of “growing” our oil in favor of drilling our oil. \nToday we have to rethink our approach to fueling our economy\, and Mr. Fusco was very effective in making that case. We are faced with not only the questions of cost and availability of petroleum based oils\, but of the consequences of the continued burning of these fuels. As we address the problems of air pollution we find that the petroleum based products are far more detrimental to our health than vegetable based oils. Bio fuels also have a lesser effect on the problem of global warming\nBut one could legitimately ask\, why would the effect on global warming be different than burning petroleum? The answer was made clear in Rudy’s presentation. Bio fuels release carbon dioxide when they burn just like any other carbon based fuel\, but bio fuels absorb carbon dioxide when they are grown. The net effect is that there is no net increase of CO2 when Bio fuels are used. \nWe considered the element of cost. The cost of bio-diesel is competitive only because it is subsidized. However petroleum is also subsidized by tax policy. But it is also subsidized by the military protection of the sources of oil that we provide through the use of our military. And\, that subsidy is enjoyed by the entire world. Europe\, China\, India\, Japan and every other industrial nation is aided by our costly military that serves to protect oil production.  As Mr. Fusco pointed out it\, takes one unit of energy to produce 3.2 units of bio diesel. The closing thought on cost was that\, when the industry matures $1/gallon could be acheived without subsidy. \nMr. Fusco pointed out that Brazil\, back in the early 70’s\, embarked on a bio-diesel program and an ethanol program that has taken that country out of the grip of the international oil trade. Today Brazil produces most of it’s fuel from home grown sugar cane\, and all of the money that is spent remains within the territory of Brazil\, further enhancing that economy. \nWe also discussed the ability to use these new fuels in the engines we have in use today. Some modifications may be needed\, but most engines can already handle a blend of bio and petrol fuels without modification.. And as Rudy pointed out the infrastructure for transporting these fuels are exactly the same. The implication here is that the introduction of these fuels need not be a long drawn out process.  \nThe audience that attended was well versed in the topic\, making the discussion quite lively. Andria Adler program Coordinator of “Clean Cities” .. Harry Davitian of Entek Powers Systems\, Technical writer\, Frances Whittelsey\, and Alan Binder of VisionFuels were among the people contributing to the conversation. \nThank you Rudy Fusco\, and the audience that added measurably to the discussion.
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/rudy-fusco-bio-diesel-innovator-sponsor-mr-parking-lot/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060324T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060324T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060324T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060324T050000Z
UID:4181-1143158400-1143158400@limba.net
SUMMARY:Irving Like\,  Protecting Fire Island -Holiday Inn
DESCRIPTION:Among the many endearing features of Long Island are the ocean beaches. These beaches are vulnerable to storms and the cost to maintain them is a source of some controversy. Irving Like\, Counsel for the Fire Island Association\, spoke this morning to bring a better understanding of what those beaches mean to all of us\, and how that cost is borne. \n \nThe discussion began by outlining how important those beaches are to the Long Island economy. Over 2 million people visit Fire Island each year and hundreds of millions of dollars are attracted to Long Island simply because these beaches exist. Of course these beaches also are also a major recreational asset for all of Long Islanders. The south shore of Long Island is an enormous potential flood plain. A category 4 storm would inundate the south shore communities all the way up to Sunrise Highway. There are 73\,000 homes and hundreds of thousands of people that would be affected. The barrier beaches are a natural buffer\, that if left to erode would end the protection afforded by those barrier beaches. \n \nFire Island is 32 miles long. Only 6 miles of the island contain residences. The balance\, 80%\, of the land is state\, federal\, and town properties. Some of it is parks\, such as Robert Moses Park\, Bellport Beach\, and other municipal public uses\, but most of it is still wild. This necklace of barrier beach contains an enormous reserve of wild life\, making it the largest natural preserve in the region. Hundreds of species of birds\, fox\, owls\, and aquatic life have found a haven here. \n \nThe question was posed as to why the people that live there do not pick up the cost\, since they are the primary beneficiary of this valuable asset. Well\, in fact they are big contributors. The formula for funding beach replenishment is 65% federal and the balance comes from state and local sources. The amount that is paid by local government works out to be $10 million. $5 million is paid by the residences of Fire Island\, and $5 million by the rest of Long Island. Is that fair? Well\, to put that into perspective. The $5million cost is shared by 17\,000 people on Fire Island\, and the $5million paid by the mainland is shared by 2 1/2 million people. In other words the cost to the mainlanders is minuscule\, while the cost to the Fire Island residences is substantial. \n \nMr. Like went on to explain that there is a plan in effect right now. However the Army Corp of Engineers has yet to act on it. By virtue of earlier legislation the 100 year plan for the barrier beaches was to be completed in 1999. The plan would by\, necessity\, benefit the entire island in order for it to be effective. Two federal agencies have failed to act on legislation that presently exists. In the meantime nobody is letting the major recreational areas to be reclaimed by the sea\, but the remedies are “band aids” and in the long run more costly that a comprehensive plan.
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/irving-like-protecting-fire-island-holiday-inn/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060317T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060317T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060317T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060317T050000Z
UID:4176-1142553600-1142553600@limba.net
SUMMARY:Irwin Kellner NorthFork/CBS Marketwatch Economist
DESCRIPTION:This morning’s speaker\, Dr Irwin Kellner\, was his usual\, informative self. Dr. Kellner likes to pepper his talks with some humor which went over very well\, but there was no doubt about the seriousness of his message. \nIrwin began by stating that we were still in an expansion mode for the economy and it’s conceivable that the expansion will last a little longer. He explained that the job creation that has been touted\, recently has actually been quite anemic. Among the pitfalls\, as he sees them\, are the fact that our savings rate is negative. Personal debt is higher than ever. Wages are flat\, and we are spending more than we are earning\, which is not sustainable. According to Kellner “The days of wine and roses are over” \nThe outlook for the future is weak\, so investments in the stock market may not be the best move. \nHome prices are showing higher values\, but again this is misleading. On the high priced homes the market prices may be rising\, but in the less expensive homes the prices are falling. Moreover there are 66% more houses being offered than a year ago. Having many houses for sale has a tendency to depress the price. \nThe national debt will absorb more and more of the available capital\, and that will have the effect driving up interest rates. \nThe message was that general slowdown of the economy should be expected.. Long Island\, while not immured to the national outlook of a slowdown\, does have some bright spots that will help us. We are far more diversified than we were in the past. There are no large companies that have so many employees that a shutdown would cripple the economy.\nLater in the Q&A\, Irwin was asked if the unemployment rates really tell the story. Dr. Kellner told us the relatively low unemployment rates\, approximately 5%\, fails to acknowledge the people who are no longer counted because they gave up looking for work. It also fails to account for those who are working in jobs that pay far less than the jobs that were lost\, and finally there is no differentiating a part time worker from a full time worker. If we take these factors into consideration our unemployment rate is more like 10%.. Not a pretty picture\, for sure\, but Long Islanders should fare better than the rest of the nation.
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/irwin-kellner-northforkcbs-marketwatch-economist/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060310T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060310T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060310T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060310T050000Z
UID:4180-1141948800-1141948800@limba.net
SUMMARY:Angie Carpenter\, Keeping balance in local government
DESCRIPTION:Friday morning we had the pleasure of hearing from Suffolk County’s Treasurer\, Angie M. Carpenter on the subject of what her office does and why it is important for the county to continue to have an independent Treasurer.  Angie opened up with a little of her background as a small business career before she went into public service\, which is focused on making Long Island a place where we live\, not leave.  After term limits pushed her out of the Legislature\, she arrived at the Treasurer’s office expecting to find a laid-back\, slow paced office\, but found herself with a dedicated\, motivated staff.  She explained the different divisions of the Treasurer’s office\, their functions and how they interface with Suffolk’s town Tax Recievers and the public.Having laid the foundation of the function for the office\, she presented her case for maintaining the Treasurer’s office\, by noting how the major bond rating agencies liked the way that this was constructed\, and pointing out that after the Orange County\, CA’s bankruptcy debacle\, they changed their model to Suffolk’s style\, with the independent Comptroller and Treasurer.  Presently\, the Treasurer is an elected post\, which serves to maintain that independent watchdog status over the County’s finances.  She also followed up her explanation of her office’s  function with her view of what the savings to the county would be if her office was eliminated.  The only jobs that would go away were her’s and a few deputy positions\, because the functions that the Treasurer’s office performs are not currently duplicated in the Comptroller’s office.  She also reiterated that there is strong support in the Legislature for maintaining the status quo\, and recounting a story that affirms her conviction that she believes in the process and structure of the office.  A legislator said that they might support the move to eliminate the position\, but would want it to take effect after her term was up\, because she was duly elected\, and to not serve out her term would be changing the rules of the game in midstream.  Angie was willing to say that if it is the right thing to do to eliminate her office\, then do it now\, to save the money\, rather than simply playing out the string until it’s end.  She strongly believes in this\, and her independence was shown in the Q & A session.  One of our members fired a question asking her position on the county keeping the difference in the sale price and taxes owed on a delinquent property\, and used the example of what happened to a family in Amityville last year where the difference was quite substantial\, and it was a story that tugged at everybody’s heartstrings.  Instead of pandering to the crowd and agreeing that this was an egregious example of greed by the county\, Angie explained that some procedures were dictated by state law\, and spoke to the additional costs associated with seizing a property and auctioning it off\, and keeping the consequences of tax delinquency in the forefront of the public’s mind.As always\, it was another jump start to our Friday morning\, with a substantial breakfast for the mind and an exchange with an important public official on a timely subject.This meeting was presided over\, and recap written by Craig Plunkett  EMF 
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/angie-carpenter-keeping-balance-in-local-government/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060303T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20060303T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
CREATED:20060303T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20060303T050000Z
UID:4174-1141344000-1141344000@limba.net
SUMMARY:Congressman Nadler\, The benefits of a new Jersey Tunnel
DESCRIPTION:This morning our speaker was Congressman Jerry Nadler. The congressman has been keenly interested in transportation issues going back to when he was a state assemblyman.\nMr. Nadler began with a historical overview of transportation infrastructure\, and how the building of the Erie Canal catapulted New York from handling 2% of the international trade to 38%. Efficiencies were gained again when the Erie Lackawanna railroad was built. According to the congressman\, the slide to oblivion has been constant as the world changes about us. To paraphrase the congressman\, the state of rail freight is sorely lacking.\nHe spoke about the transportation bill that was recently passed. The presidents guidelines dictate that only money developed by highway funds (gas taxes) could be used. That would come to $256 billion The actual needs would have required that $390 billion be spent. The final bill came $286 billion. In this scenario the infrastructure will fail at a greater rate than it can be restored.\nFuel taxes are collected on each gallon of fuel. As fuel increases in cost we buy less of it\, resulting in lower and lower revenues being collected.. On the other hand if we continue to increase the number of vehicles on the road\, we may get higher revenues\, but we also put an even higher stress on our infrastructure\, resulting in more need to rehabilitate the infrastructure.\nBut Mr. Nadler’s main reason for speaking today was to discuss the merits of a proposed freight tunnel. Specifically a rail freight tunnel that will connect New Jersey to Brooklyn. By using a tunnel to come into Brooklyn and therefore\, Long Island we could eliminate 1 million trucks from the streets of New York. Moreover this redundancy that would be created would relieve the traffic from the George Washington Bridge. Presently 80% of all food coming into New York is brought in over the GWB. If terrorists are successful in bringing down that bridge\, New York would not be able to adequately supply itself.\nRail freight coming and going on Long Island comprises only 1.8% of the total\, whereas in other parts of the country it is more like 40%. We can do better. The cost of the tunnel is estimated at $4.2 Billion for a two track system and the payback would be substantial.\nMr. Nadler covered some peripheral issues of rail freight that need to be addressed. For example; In New York State we don’t allow freight rail cars to exceed 286\,000 lbs. The rest of the nation allows 335\,000 lbs cars. Our infrastructure is capable of handling it\, and presently we allow the passenger lines to use locomotives that are substantially heavier. This makes no sense.\nThe congressman was very knowledgeable on every aspect we could think of asking him about. And we did ask a lot of questions. Some of them were covered in this piece. The conversations that were developed continued long after the meeting had formally adjourned. The LIMBA board will decide on the support of this project based on the usefulness to Long Island. This letter reaches several thousand subscribers and any comments from our readers will be helpful
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/congressman-nadler-the-benefits-of-a-new-jersey-tunnel/
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UID:4182-1140739200-1140739200@limba.net
SUMMARY:Bill Chaleff Innovative Green Achitecture
DESCRIPTION:This morning’s meeting was advertised as a discussion of energy efficient homes. In fact it was so much more. Bill Chaleff of Chaleff & Rogers Architects began the session speaking about the reality of global warming. The phenomena known as the “green house effect”is very much upon us\, and the cause is largely due to the burning of fossil fuels. \n\nThe presentation was surprisingly technical\, but delivered in a way that was easy to understand. The means of heat transfer were explained as\, conductive\, convective\, and radiation. Those terms were explained to the satisfaction of this general audience. In explaining radiation Bill pointed out that the sun travels across millions of miles of space at absolute zero\, (-453F) and only creates heat when it enters the earth’s atmosphere. He explained that the earth’s greenhouse is what makes life possible. On the other hand\, an enhanced greenhouse effect would have devastating effects on the planet.  \n \nChaleff explained that energy is the main driver in the creation of the modern society. He went on to say there is no direct correlation between energy consumption and the quality of our lives. Americans use 3 times as much energy per capita than modern societies in Japan\, Germany\, Scandinavia\, and other first world nations. The reason that these countries use less energy is the design of their buildings and automobiles. \n \nOf the 82 million barrels of oil we use every day\, 10% comes from the Middle East. Reducing our needs by 10% according to Mr.Chaleff would be very easy\, and without inventing another new thing. \n \nFrank Lloyd Wright designed houses that were passive solar 60 years ago. This technology made inexpensive to heat\, and more comfortable than standard construction. Montezuma’s castle was solar designed to take advantage of the heat gathering design in winter while using the cooling aspects of the design in summer. Today we can parlay that knowledge using materials in buildings such as Structurally Insulated Panels\, or SIP’s as they are called.. \n \nStructural Insulated Panels are also not new. It has been in use about 40 years. SIP’s create a building envelope that is easy to heat\, easy to construct\, creates a quiet environment\, and is incredibly strong. When hurricane Andrew swept across Florida years ago there were a few house still standing when it was over. Those house used SIP design. \n \nThese low energy use designs make all other means of energy more viable\, regardless of cost\, because we will use so little of it. Can we actually shake this addiction to oil? The answer for me was buttressed by this very interesting discussion. Yes\, we can!
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/bill-chaleff-innovative-green-achitecture/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060217T000000
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DTSTAMP:20260423T174744
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UID:4175-1140134400-1140134400@limba.net
SUMMARY:No Meeting President's Day Weekend
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/no-meeting-presidents-day-weekend/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20060210T000000
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UID:4177-1139529600-1139529600@limba.net
SUMMARY:Kenny Moore VP Keyspan
DESCRIPTION:Kenny Moore of Keyspan has the title of Corporate Ombudsman. He gave a talk at LIMBA this morning that was as instructive as it was entertaining. People who come to LIMBA don’t necessarily expect to be entertained\, but when we are\, it makes the message that much better. Throughout\, his remarks were peppered with humorous asides\, and self deprecating humor.\n\n \nHe began by playing a piece that was first seen on CBS’s “Sunday Morning” show and the segment showed how the company has paid a lot of attention to concepts that include “emotional intelligence.” The idea being that the nuts and bolts of business are important but the business model that recognizes that there are real people working in the company\, and they have emotional needs that must be recognized.\n \nPeople in the company who have been ignored or otherwise treated as having little value tend to shut down. Even while most people will continue to perform at an acceptable level\, they may never again give you their creativity and innovation. I asked Kenny what is the demonstrable effect of encompassing the needs of the whole person. He looked at me for a long pause and said\, “You’re asking the wrong question.” In essence his reply was that all of this may not measurable\, but still very important.\n \nDuring Q&A Kenny was asked\, “What about companies that are more representative of people in this room\, meaning 5-50 employees. Do the same rules apply? He seemed to like that question because he gave it a lot of time. Implementation of his concepts in a small company\, in his opinion\, would be different\, but only in the details. \n \nKenny remarked that the image of corporate America is distorted. There are many companies that have a deep sense of service and conscience. The Enrons are not the predominate model. He also said that the concepts that Keyspan has embraced are becoming more and more the norm. Ending on that high note we adjourned the meeting.
URL:https://limba.net/calendar/kenny-moore-vp-keyspan/
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