(April 15, 2015 - Hauppauge, NY) Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has proposed the appointment of two new members to the Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC), Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine and Michael White, former Executive Director of the LIRPC. The LIRPC is a critical body which works on developing regional solutions to move Long Island forward.
“I am proud to nominate Supervisor Ed Romaine and Michael White because these are two individuals who have devoted their careers to supporting policies that promote sustainable growth which moves Long Island forward,” said County Executive Bellone. “Through my Connect Long Island plan, I am excited to continue to work with Supervisor Romaine on shared regional priorities including expanding electrification of the Long Island Rail Road and advancing the Ronkonkoma Hub."
These seats were recently vacated by Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter and Terri Alessi-Miceli, President of the Hauppauge Industrial Association.
“I truly thank Supervisor Walter and Terri Alessi-Miceli for their service to the council and their continuing service to our region,” said Bellone. “Both individuals have incredibly demanding jobs and then volunteered to take on the additional commitment of serving the LIRPC with myriad initiatives that have set the ground work for a prosperous future for Suffolk County and its residents.”
The LIRPC, formed in 2008, was created to promote the physical, economic and social health and wellbeing of the Long Island region and its residents. The main goal of the LIRPC is to educate Long Island’s officials, stakeholders and residents on key issues affecting the quality of life on Long Island, and to serve as a catalyst for action by proposing both immediate and long-term solutions for issues of regional concern.
With the Long Island region being home to more than 3 million people, larger than many states, the LIRPC plays an important and unique role in leading the conversation to address issues such as development, water quality/resiliency, poverty, education, transportation and transit and energy. The council understands that these issues cannot be looked at in a vacuum but are all interconnected as we look to move our region forward.
The LIRPC created the LI2035 Regional Sustainability Plan, encompassing a 25-year span with a special focus on the Economy, Tax and Governance, Infrastructure and Equity. In 2011 it created the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy accepted by the United States Economic Development Agency. Both studies paved the way for the region to be a recipient of federal grants and provided framework for the region on various issues.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Long Island Regional Planning Council and I thank County Executive Bellone for the appointment,” said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine. “As the largest town on Long Island, Brookhaven residents are major stakeholders in the future of our region and I will do whatever I can to protect and preserve their quality of life as we move forward. I look forward to serving with the other members of the Council who I greatly respect for their commitment to make Long Island a better place to live."
“I welcome the opportunity to serve as a member of the LIRPC,” said Michael White. “Knowing well the contributions of the Council and the critical junction that Long Island is facing both in funding opportunities for our infrastructure, environmental protection, collaboration of our national research and education institutions and carrying out the vision of sustainable communities, I look forward to working with the members of the Council, both County governments and our residents.”
“The LIRPC looks forward to welcoming Supervisor Ed Romaine and Michael White to the Council,” said John D. Cameron, Jr., Chairman of the LIRPC. “I am anxious to have them share their expertise and commitment in helping to shape a more sustainable future for Long Island.”
The appointments are subject to approval by the Suffolk County Legislature. The proposed appointments will be laid on the table at the April 28, 2015 meeting and considered for approval at the May 12, 2015legislative meeting.