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Politics & Government

West Islip Summit Coalition Plans Community Pavilion

Coalition Holds 2nd Annual Community Forum at La Grange

The West Islip Summit Coalition, an organization comprised of community leaders dedicated to improving quality of life in West Islip, held its second annual community forum on Wednesday, May 12 at La Grange Inn. Among the topics discussed were plans for a community pavilion. 

The coalition displayed preliminary plans for the pavilion, which would be located  just north of the West Islip Public Library. The pavilion will not only serve as a way to bring more of the arts to the area, but it will provide a focal point for the community, coalition members said. Talks are underway with Senator Charles Schumer to secure funds for the construction of this project.

Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan addressed the coalition and took questions from the community on subjects ranging from taxes, traffic issues on Montauk Highway near Good Samaritan Hospital, the possibility of a new 7-11 on the corner of Udall Road and Muncey Road and drainage problems at the ballfields on Beach Drive. 

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Nolan commended the coalition for being proactive in their community, "When you are involved, we are so much more effective. Together we make the community better," he told community members who attended the community forum.

Nolan also advised residents that several roads will be paved this year and a number of drainage basins will be replaced in West Islip.

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The West Islip Summit Coalition was formed in December 2008 with the help of West Islip Board of Education President Steve Gellar and board vice-president Annmarie LaRosa. "When Annmarie and I attended the school board convention in 2008 with Bayshore Superintendent of Schools Dr. Evelyn Holman, she spoke about the Bay Shore Summit. Annmarie and I both thought we had to do this for West Islip," Gellar said. "We noticed a lot of empty store fronts on Union Boulevard and Montauk Highway, and the Bay Shore Summit was a large part of why they revitalized."

The Summit committees include Beautification/Historic Preservation, Business Development and Enrichment, Public Relations, Quality of Life and Youth Services.

Some of the projects discussed at the forum included monthly food drives, continuing beautification efforts including new trees on Beach Drive, the restoration of the Weeks Library at the Higbie Community Center and cleaning up Willetts Creek. 

If you wish to volunteer for one of the coalition's committees, or for additional information on all the projects the coalition is working on, visit their website: www.westislipsummit.com.

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