As we approach 2000 signatures, I thought I would bring you up to speed. I sent emails and snail mails to every state legislator on LI asking where they stand on the GSBG and the Long Island extension of the Empire State Trail. I have met face to face with several NY State Senators and Assembly members. I am also in the process of putting together a cycling summit meeting with NYS transportation committee chair Tim Kennedy in September. This meeting will be a roundtable discussion with the leading cycling activists on LI. Most of the state legislatures are in support of the idea of the trail, but what we need now is ACTION!
There are two possible pathways to come to fruition. The first scenario is that the state legislature exerts enough pressure on the DOT to take the existing plans (that date back to 1998) and start construction using current funds in the budget. The second scenario is that the transportation committee carves out a budget item this April. The second eventuality is more likely, but even so, the DOT should be pressured to start planning now. That is where you come in.
We need you contact your state elected officials and ask them to request that DOT start planning this project. Please reach out to your respective officials accordingly, see below:
Legislative contacts for Great South Bay Greenway project (asterisk indicates transportation committee member):
NY State Senate
Phillip Boyle
pboyle@nysenate.gov
631-665-2311
Alexis Weik
weik@nysenate.gov
631-360-3356
Jim Gaughran
gaughran@nysenate.go
516-922-1811
Mario Mattera*
mattera@nysenate.gov
631-361-2154
John Brooks *
Brooks@nysenate.gov
516-882-0630
Anna Kaplan*
kaplan@nysenate.gov
(516) 746-5924
NY State Assembly
Jarrett Gandolfo
gandolfoj@nyassembly.gov
631-589-0348
Michal Durso
dursom@nyassembly.gov
516-541-4598
Mike Brown
brownk@nyassembly.gov
631-261-4151
Phil Ramos
ramosp@nyassembly.gov
631-435-3214
Doug Smith
smithd@nyassembly.gov
631-585-0230
Steve Englebright
engles@nyassembly.gov
631-751-3094
Steve Stern
sterns@nyassembly.gov
631-271-8025