MICA Supports SC Leg Field of Dreams Appraisal

Please join us  in support of Legislator Sarah Anker’s Resolution to Authorize the Appraisal of the southern parcel of the Old Kmart parcel.  The meeting will be held at 4:00pm in the Maxine Postal Auditorium of the Evans  Griffing Building at 300 Center Drive in Riverhead.  A photo ID is needed to enter the building, and there is often security screening in place as well.
The opportunity for us to speak will be during the initial Public Comment portion only, which commences after Proclamations and Presentations, and ends before the Public Hearing portion at 6:30pm.   If you want to speak, plan on arriving around 3:45 so you can fill out a speaker card. Comments are limited to three minutes but don’t have to be that long — and you can also show support simply by being present.

You may also submit written comments in advance of the meeting — very helpful and the best bet for those working or getting children off the bus on the second day of the school year.  These comments will be complied and distributed by the Clerks of the Legislature.

Written comment can be emailed to Amy Ellis at amy.ellis@suffolkcountyny.gov and Jason Richberg at jason.richberg@suffolkcountyny.gov with Ann Marie Pastore CC’d at Annmarie.Pastore@suffolkcountyny.gov

On Monday, August 29, MICA President Gail Lynch-Bailey spoke in support of Introductory Resolutions 1756 and 1757 before the Suffolk County Legislature’s Environment, Planning and Agriculture Committee in Riverhead. Sponsored by Legislator Sarah Anker, these resolutions authorize the appraisal of land commonly known as the Old Kmart parcel, with the aim of acquiring this land for use as both passive and active parkland. LYSA Officer Paul Infranco also attended this hearing. Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine spoke in favor of these resolutions as well, pledging that if Suffolk County will buy the 48+ acres, the TOB will build a wonderful park on the southern 21 acres. Attendees were thrilled to learn that NY State has submitted a letter of interest in helping to purchase the northern 27 acres to be preserved as open space that can be used for hiking and walking. Given this newly expressed interest by NYS, Reso 1756 for the northern portion was tabled. Reso 1757 was passed unanimously and will now go to the full SC Legislature for approval on Wednesday, September 7! We will need many more supporters in attendance for this meeting, which will start at 4pm in Riverhead’s Griffing Building at 300 Center Drive. Please mark your calendars. Agenda details will be shared asap.