Who Let the Dogs Out?
Last Thursday, at a news conference held at the mining facility of LICA member 110 Sand Company, LICA literally “let the dogs out”. Woody and Peep, two adorable bloodhound pups (on loan from Ruff House Rescue) joined LICA to help illustrate how Long Island is forced to go on search & rescue missions to “sniff out” funding parity for our roads, highways and bridges. In step with the Rebuild NY Now campaign, LICA and its supporters are calling on Governor Cuomo and the NYSDOT to provide a multi-year, fully funded, capital plan for our highway & bridges– similar to 5 year plan they recently approved for the MTA. A long-term infrastructure plan is needed to stop the temporary “patching” issue – where only the worst problems get fixed on an as-needed basis. Instead, a multi-year plan would allow municipalities to put proper maintenance programs in place that will be more cost efficient and improve quality, while allowing them to also focus on planning the larger, more critical, long-term projects that are needed in our region.
Opening remarks were given by LICA’s Executive Director Marc Herbst and LICA Board Member Joseph K. Posillico of Posillico, Inc. Several elected officials also shared their comments including Senator Jack Martins and Senator Michael Venditto, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer, and Southampton Superintendent of Highways Alex Gregor. Senator Martins noted that both the Governor and the senate majority leader have shared a commitment for infrastructure investment, but has had no such word from the speaker of the assembly, suggesting we take the bloodhounds, labor leaders, contractors and local leaders to Albany to speak directly with our assembly colleagues. Senator Venditto noted that “You have to continue to scratch and claw to get resources for Long Island” and vowed that “We will continue to fight.” County Executive Steve Bellone re-stated the benefits of strong infrastructure and the need for a long-term plan, saying “It is profoundly important to every family and every household in this region.”
John Duffy, Business Manager for IUOE Local 138 also spoke, and was supported by other labor leaders in attendance including Anthony Macagnone from the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenter, as well as Mike Bourgal and Mickey Bird – Business Agents for Teamsters Local 282. Others distinguished guests included Town of Babylon Deputy Supervisor and Councilman Tony Martinez and Rep. Lee Zeldin’s Congressional Aide, Benedict Monachino.
Several media outlets covered the event. See below for links to the related video coverage and news articles. To see more photos from the event, be sure to check out LICA’s Photo Gallery. To make a donation or to find out more about Ruff House Rescue and other pets for adoption, please visit www.RuffHouseRescue.org.
