President’s Message: Setting the Course for 2012 and Beyond
(I’m reminded here of the old advertising caveat that “your results may vary,” because we all still experience some traffic issues along the road, but if you can recall what it was like five years ago you will realize that the situation has substantially improved. Even more so if you’re a pedestrian or bicyclist.)
Over the years the Civic has used the bulk of its resources on advancing the Portion Road project, and with its completion we can now use those resources on the Portion Road Land Use Plan, the Ronkonkoma Hub (see below), and other community planning efforts to improve our region. But the Portion Road project was such an integral part of the mission of the Civic (it’s even stated as such in our bylaws) that there has been an ongoing discussion on the Executive Board about how to re-orient the mission of the Civic. After all, the Civic doesn’t exist just for the sake of having a local civic organization; it exists to address those issues that its members have identified as being crucial or having the biggest impact on the community at large.
As a member, your voice is essential in helping the Civic define its role. That’s why I’m making this personal appeal that you attend our meeting on Thursday, February 9th at 7:30 PM, at the American Legion Hall, 115 Church Street. I realize that our meetings compete with the many other activities available on a typical Thursday night; from a school-related activity to watching your favorite television show. So I’m asking that this one time you set aside other pursuits and take the time to help us, and your neighbors, plan for the future, our future, in Lake Ronkonkoma, for 2012 and beyond.
- George Schramm, LRCO President
Meeting Schedule for 2012
If you use Google Calendar, you can subscribe to the Google's LRCO Meeting Calendar by clicking on this link:
Thursday, February
9th: General Membership Meeting
Thursday,
March 8th: General Membership
Meeting
Thursday, April 12th: General Membership Meeting
Thursday,
May 10th: Annual Meeting &
Elections
Thursday, June 14th: General Membership Meeting
Thursday,
September 13th: General Membership
Meeting
Thursday, October 11th: Meet the Candidates
Thursday,
November 8th: General Membership
Meeting
Thursday, February 14th, 2013: General Membership
Meeting
2011 Civic Accomplishments: Transit Oriented Development at the Ronkonkoma Hub
The Civic president participated on the Town’s selection committee, which ultimately chose the TRITEC Company, a developer based on Long Island, as the master developer for the Ronkonkoma Hub.
Moving forward, the Civic will continue to work with the Town, and the master developer, in creating a vibrant and exciting transportation oriented development that will appeal to the next generation of workers and residents.
2011 Civic Accomplishments: Implementing the Portion Road Corridor Land Use Plan
What began as a vision-driven process became a comprehensive community plan with specific goals, an understanding of trends and opportunities, and strategies for implementation. Back in early 2010 the Civic was proud to support the Town of Brookhaven’s adoption of Portion Road Corridor Land Use Plan, a plan the Civic helped to create.
Some of the goals of the Plan include:
• The revitalization of the long-established downtown center at Hawkins Avenue, and the development of a new downtown area at Morris Avenue, near Nicolls Road.
• The creation of Transition Areas along the roadways that bring vehicles and pedestrians into the downtown centers.
• The integration of existing Regional Centers by providing more pedestrian-friendly connections to local residential areas.
• The further development of Transportation networks that reduce congestion, enhance safety, and encourage a diversity of transportation options.
• An economic development plan that will increase appropriate retail activity, encourage the expansion of local businesses, increase the quantity of local jobs, and provide an adequate tax base.
• The interconnectivity of commercial and residential areas with local resources, such as the Lake. A related goal is the preservation and promotion of the history and historic structures in Lake Ronkonkoma.
• The establishment of architectural design guidelines to improve appearance of buildings undergoing construction or renovation, because a picturesque downtown draws more shoppers.
The adoption of the Land Use Plan was a significant accomplishment for the Civic, but it was only the first step. In June 2010, there was a Special Town Board Hearing at Brookhaven Town Hall to re-zone certain parcels within the area of the Land Use Plan, along Hawkins and Ronkonkoma Avenues. The Civic supported this series of re-zonings because it changed the zoning of specific parcels where the current use of the property matched the Land Use Plan, but not the current zoning. This action removed the burden of a Change of Zone application from property owners who want to develop a parcel in compliance with the Land Use Plan, and it also protects residential parcels from inappropriate development. The Town was successful in re-zoning close to all the parcels presented at the hearing. Another special hearing for a similar purpose for parcels along Portion Road will be scheduled for 2012.
The Civic also continues to work on enforcing the architectural design guidelines contained in the Land Use Plan. The Civic’s Land Use Plan Implementation Committee comments on drawings submitted to the Town of Brookhaven and appears in front of the Town’s Planning Board to ensure that proposed façade changes comply with the design guidelines.
2011 Civic Accomplishments: Access to Your Elected Representatives and More
Also, don’t be surprised if an officer from the 4th or 6th Precinct is in attendance to report on the what’s happening in the area.
2011 Civic Accomplishments: We Made Membership Even Easier
By making membership renewal easier, the Civic can reduce the need to mail out letters and make phone calls to remind members to renew and devote its limited resources to other activities such as…
Creating Eyes on the Street
2011 Civic Accomplishments: Creating Eyes on the Street
By working together with Suffolk County Police, neighbors learn how to safeguard each other’s homes by observing and reporting. By observing and reporting any suspicious circumstance, neighborhoods actually increase their own safety.
Police cannot fight crime they do not know about. When alert citizens keep them informed, the police are far more effective against crime, and citizens have better protection and safer neighborhoods.
In 2012 the Civic will continue to help organize Neighborhood Watches in our area. If you’re interested, contact the Civic President at president@lakeronkonkomacivic.org or the COPE office at the 4th Precinct at (631) 854-8478, or for neighborhoods east of Hawkins Avenue, the COPE office at the 6th Precinct at (631) 854-8670.
2011 Civic Accomplishments: Speaking Out at Brookhaven Zoning Board Hearings
2011 Civic Accomplishments: Meet the Candidates
2011 Civic Accomplishments: Litter Cleanups That Make a Difference
Because a clean community discourages littering and raises local living standards and quality of life, the Civic also hosts a monthly litter cleanup along Portion Road. On the first Saturday of the month, volunteers meet in the parking lot at the southwest corner of the intersection of Portion Road and Holbrook Road, where our litter coordinator, Ken Kellaher, distributes gloves, safety vests and trash bags. Then each team walks a small section of the road collecting litter in bags that will picked up later. If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to walk more this year, you can improve your health and your community by volunteering for our litter cleanup. For more information, you can contact Ken at 736-0626.
2011 Civic Accomplishments: Support for Street Sign Maintenance
2011 Civic Accomplishments: Voicing our Concerns to Brookhaven’s Planning Board
The Civic also enforces the architectural design guidelines contained in the Portion Road Land Use Plan by commenting on façade designs submitted to the Town’s Planning Board.
We encourage our members to attend Planning Board hearings and let their voices be heard; the success of the Civic indicates that our participation does not go unheeded.
2011 Civic Accomplishments: Advocates for the Lake
To further the public-private partnership strategy for the area around the lake, the Civic also created a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, the Ronkonkoma Lake Foundation, which has the ability to apply for grant funds for educational and environmental programs related to the lake.
2011 Civic Accomplishments: We Host Popular Community Events
At the beginning of every December we welcome Santa with our annual Breakfast With Santa, and in the Spring we have our annual Bagels With Bunny. At both the children have great fun (though we suspect the adults have just as much fun as the children) with crafts to make, coloring and puzzle sheets, food, goodie bags (and Santa hands out reindeer food), and, of course, a visit and photo-op with Santa and the Easter Bunny. Check our website for the dates for each event and reserve your seats early for a memorable time for your children or grandchildren.
2011 Civic Accomplishments: A Scholarship to Encourage Student Advancement
2011 Civic Accomplishments: Arrowhead Park
Lake Ronkonkoma "Mirrors of the Past" Photographic Exhibit
Exhibit traces the history of Lake Ronkonkoma with 120 enlarged photos
Now through February 29, 2012
Reception - Sunday, January 15, 2012, 1 - 3 pm
Meet the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical SocietyRead more...
Ronkonkoma Featured at Newsday.com
Civil Air Patrol Needs You
They will be holding a Parents Open House on November 13th from 11AM to 3PM, on the east side of L.I. MacArthur Airport at 1600 Lincoln Ave. Holbrook, NY 11741.
This is a great opportunity to find out about the Civil Air Patrol.
Civic Scholarship for High School Seniors
The application can be picked up in the Sachem North High School Guidance Office or the Teen Desk at Sachem Public Library, or downloaded from our website. A 500-word essay is required, and contents and grammar will be taken into account. Outstanding finalists will be invited to appear for an interview.
The completed packets should be mailed to: Patricia Duffield, Chairperson, Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization Scholarship Committee, PO Box 2916, Lake Ronkonkoma NY 11779. If you have any questions, contact Patricia Duffield at kenpatduff@hotmail.com. Good luck to all who apply!
Ronkonkoma Hub Update
Traffic Calming Project for Holbrook Road
Fall Festival Success
Arrowhead Park Fundraiser
You can download an order form from our Downloads page.
About Arrowhead Community Park
In the fall of 2005, the Civic was successful in
persuading the Town of Brookhaven to purchase the
triangular-shaped property, bounded by Pond Road and
Church Street, using Open Space funds. Since that time,
the Civic has worked with the Town to make improvements
to the park, such as new curbs, pedestrian crossings,
an enclosing fence, and interior pathways. Using the
triangular shape of the park as an opportunity to
celebrate the Native American history of Lake
Ronkonkoma, the park has been named the Arrowhead
Community Park. (And if you’re wondering if any actual
arrowheads were ever found nearby, the answer is “Yes!”
and you can see a marvelous collection of them at the
Historical Society Museum on Hawkins
Avenue.)
Residents just like you have made a significant impact
in their community with the simple act of donating some
of their time to improve a once-abandoned parcel of
land. But there’s plenty of space in the park and
plenty of opportunity to show how much you care.
Contact park coordinator, Mark Salzano at 1250zuluwx@optimum.net to volunteer.
Civic Places Benches at Bus Stops
Congressman Bishop Meets with Civic Members
Congressman Bishop discussed the need to find a balanced approach to reduce spending and cut the deficit with job creation. As an example of his work to cut the deficit, Congressman Bishop cited his efforts to eliminate approximately $20 billion in tax breaks enjoyed by the top five Big Oil companies. He noted that while those subsidies may have been useful when oil cost $18 a barrel, they are unnecessary when it is $100 a barrel.
"I want to learn what's on people's minds," Congressman Bishop told the Civic. "I want people to know the facts. There's an awful lot of misinformation out there. Misinformation is debilitating. My belief is that when people are possessed with the facts, reasonable people will make good decisions."
Congressman Bishop also discussed his support for Medicare and his opposition to plans to turn Medicare into a voucher system.
Congressman Bishop’s office is now located at 31 Oak Street in Patchogue and the phone number has been changed to 289-6500. Residents are urged to call Congressman Bishop’s office if they need assistance with any federal agency. In particular, Congressman Bishop has a caseworker who specializes in helping Suffolk County veterans and veterans are urged to contact the Congressman if they need any help.
Portion Road Land Use Plan Wins Smart Growth Award
Watch the video about the award: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65Yb-R03UHw
The Smart Growth Award for the Portion Road Land Use Plan at the Vision Long Island luncheon: (L to R) Vision LI Executive Director Eric Alexander, Town of Brookhaven Planning Commissioner Tulio Bertoli, Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Kathy Walsh, Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization President George Schramm, Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization Recording Secretary Pat Duffield, Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization Vice-president Dawn Hopkins, Town of Brookhaven Joseph Sanzano.
A Reminder From the Membership Committee
So, if there is a blue membership renewal form inside your newsletter, then it’s time to pay your dues.Read more...
Ronkonkoma Hub Update
Read more at the Brookhaven website: http://www.brookhaven.org/PressRoom/tabid/56/newsid970/985/Default.aspx
Portion of Cenacle Property Protected Through Conservation Easement
According to the agreement, the purpose of the easement is to forever conserve the property to “assure the sustained, natural capacity and the ecological integrity of the Protected Property and its soils and vegetation and limit adverse aesthetic, wildlife and ecological impacts, particularly in public vistas.” Some of the land uses that are prohibited by the agreement include housing, camp grounds, golf courses, recreation fields, hotels, antennas, and equipment for telecommunication.
Maude Adams, who famously portrayed Peter Pan in 1905, donated her estate to the Cenacle Sisters in 1922. In 2007 the sisters decided to replace the 1927 Retreat House with a smaller, greener building scheduled to be complete in September 2011.
President’s Message: Our Loss
The year 2010 saw the loss of one of our community’s greatest assets: Bob Molinari, who passed away in November.Read more...
Assemblywoman Fields' "Inland Waterway" Press Conference
You may see some of the press conference tonight on TV 10/55 News tonight at 11PM.
You can also read about it and see photos and video at a new local online news service called Sachem.patch:
http://sachem.patch.com/articles/lake-ronkonkoma-is-first-long-island-lake-added-to-list-of-states-inland-waterways
Lake Ronkonkoma Now Designated an "Inland Waterway"
Keep Ronkonkoma Clean Every First Saturday
Saturday, April 3, 9:00 AM will be our next Portion Road & Hawkins Avenue Clean Up, weather permitting.
Read more...
Assemblywoman Fields' Bill to Designate Lake Ronkonkoma as an Inland Waterway Passes in the Assembly
Sen. Foley's Bill to Designate Lake Ronkonkoma as an Inland Waterway Passes in the Senate
Concerned About Local Crime?
Civic Vice-president Appointed to Suffolk County Parks Board of Trustees
Credit Cards Accepted Here.
The Civic now accepts credit cards, so now you can pay your membership dues online, safely and securely.Read more...
The New Arrowhead Community Park
Suffolk County Homemakers Now Meet in Lake Ronkonkoma
Suffolk County Homemakers is an organization that hosts local community service projects, donates to scholarships, worthwhile charities and organizations, and provides a social atmosphere where members can share talents and skills.
New members, and those who are interested in finding out more, are welcome to attend.
Lake Ronkonkoma Means Fish
WS Commerdinger, Jr. County Park
Why We Drive the Way We Do
Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy Honored at Lake Ronkonkoma
On Wednesday afternoon, May 7th, on the shore of Lake Ronkonkoma, U.S. Navy Secretary Dr. Donald C. Winter, Brookhaven Supervisor Brian X. Foley, 5th District Councilman Timothy P. Mazzei, and 1st Congressional District Representative Tim Bishop today joined the Murphy family to honor Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy of Patchogue. Lt. Murphy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan June 28, 2005, received the nation’s highest military medal, The Congressional Medal of Honor, for his courage, sacrifice, and heroic efforts to save the Navy SEALs under his command.Read more...
Brookhaven’s “One Call:” 451-TOWN
The Civic Online Gift Shop is now open!
We have hats, shirts, mugs, tote bags, and more with the Civic logo and other neat Lake Ronkonkoma artwork.Read more...