In contrast to Governor Kathy Hochul’s $13 million in state support for six Long Island community projects, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican challenger for Governor, inflicted budget cuts in order to avoid raising taxes which led to the closing of The Safe Center LI – the sole nonprofit on Long Island providing support for domestic and sexual violence victims. He hoarded, rather than spent, opioid funds in order to shift the interest revenue into the general fund. And Nassau County Democrats have accused Blakeman of withholding or delaying over 30 municipal and local grant requests for emergency and safety equipment (such as fire department gear and ambulances) in Democratic-led districts, characterizing them as political fights, while Blakeman maintains that line items have been approved and labels certain requests as political projects.—Karen Rubi, editor@news-photos-features.com, news-photos-features.com
Governor Hochul announced nearly $13 million in state support for six major renovation projects on Long Island. These investments will help six local organizations revitalize existing facilities, allowing them to expand their reach, strengthen community-based services and deliver lasting benefits to New Yorkers.
“From supporting New Yorkers with disabilities to helping families put food on the table, community organizations are essential partners in delivering these critical services,” Governor Hochul said. “These investments are crucial to ensure that cornerstones of the community are able to continue their important work and reach more New Yorkers.”
Expanding Essential Services for New Yorkers
The Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County will receive $3 million to advance several improvement projects. The Roosevelt-based organization assists children and adults with developmental disabilities through a range of programs and services. Several facilities on its main campus will benefit from this capital investment including a roof replacement, building systems upgrades, and the reopening of Café Connections, which had closed down during COVID-19.
Island Harvest Food Bank will receive $1.5 million to renovate its Melville facility. This project will allow the organization to create two new workforce training programs and expand their nutrition education program through the construction of a demonstration kitchen, a bulk product repacking room, improvements to the community room and other general facility enhancements. This project and the associated program expansions will strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline while advancing long-term hunger reduction strategies.
Long Island Select Healthcare (LISH) will receive $3 million to rehabilitate aging infrastructure and modernize clinical equipment at its primary location. LISH is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Central Islip, that serves more than 9,000 low-income and otherwise vulnerable patients on an annual basis. Medicaid changes have resulted in an influx of patients and these modernization improvements will work to ensure that LISH can continue to provide high quality services for Long Island’s expanded population seeking care.
Strengthening Community Cornerstones
The Village of Hempstead Volunteer Fire Department will receive $1 million to support the purchase of new radio equipment. The department’s current equipment has limited functionality when used inside burning buildings, presenting a hazard for firefighters. This investment will ensure that the department’s resources are first-rate when protecting New Yorkers and their families.
The Deer Park School District will receive $3 million to rebuild the district’s High School Aquatic Center and increase accessibility for New Yorkers with disabilities. This project will include updates that incorporate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant design features, including accessible lifts, stair upgrades and accessible locker rooms. The Deer Park High School Aquatic Facility has been closed to the public for safety reasons due to extreme deterioration after continuous use for nearly 50 years. This aquatic center serves hundreds of families on Long Island including Deer Park students and residents and community members from surrounding western Suffolk communities.
The Bay Shore-Brightwaters Little League will receive $1 million for facility improvements. This project will make critical upgrades to the Little League’s facility, including new fencing, bleachers, fields and batting cages.
State Senator Monica R. Martinez said, “The investments New York State is making on Long Island are protecting safety, improving health and enhancing quality of life. I thank Governor Hochul for working with members of the Legislature and local communities, including with me on projects in Deer Park, Bay Shore-Brightwaters and at Long Island Select Healthcare, to continue making New York a place that meets the needs of its residents.”
State Senator Siela Bynoe said, “These investments for The Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Island Harvest Food Bank, and The Village of Hempstead Volunteer Fire Department will help strengthen the organizations and institutions that Long Island families rely on every day. From expanding services for individuals with disabilities and creating workforce training opportunities to improving firefighter safety and investing in our children, this funding addresses essential changes needed in our communities. I appreciate the Governor providing state support to assist the residents of Senate District 6 and uplifting the organizations that make a difference in the lives of our residents.”
Assembly Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos said, “As Dean of the Long Island Delegation, I know how important these investments are to the families and communities we represent. I thank Governor Hochul for this significant funding, which will expand workforce training and nutrition programs, help meet growing patient needs amid Medicaid changes, improve public safety, and strengthen vital services and facilities across our region. In my district, funding to modernize Long Island Select Healthcare’s facility and clinical equipment is especially important as more patients face barriers to accessing care amid federal cuts to essential healthcare programs. These investments demonstrate how state funding can make a real difference in people’s lives, helping ensure Long Island families have access to quality healthcare, greater opportunities, and safe, accessible spaces to learn, work and come together.”
Assemblymember Charles D. Lavine said, “This multi-million-dollar investment is another example of Governor Hochul’s commitment to improving the quality of life for Long Islanders. I am especially pleased that wonderful organizations such as Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County and Island Harvest food bank will be able to move forward with much-needed renovation projects so they can continue to provide services to those who depend on them.”
Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages said, “This targeted funding will improve life for Long Island residents in the most vital of domains from education to public safety to addressing food insecurity for our most vulnerable families. We see in these investments a Governor hyper-concerned with the particular needs of her constituents, who is following through with the resources to address those needs, and who is keeping an eagle eye on the well-being of Long Islanders. I thank Governor Hochul for supporting the institutions that support and care for our communities.”
Assemblymember Steve Stern said, “This funding is a critical step in bringing vital programs to our community. Through the Workforce Skills Development Institute, Island Harvest connects unemployed and underemployed Long Islanders with training that leads directly to job placement. Island Harvest is a key player in supporting our neighbors facing food insecurity and struggling to make ends meet at a time when gas, housing and food costs are so high. I applaud Governor Hochul for her continuing support for Island Harvest and our neighbors in need.”
Assemblymember Noah Burroughs said, “This $1.5 million investment in Island Harvest Food Bank is an important step forward in addressing food insecurity, expanding workforce development, and strengthening communities throughout Long Island. For residents of the 18th Assembly District and families across our region, this project will help expand access to nutritious food, provide valuable educational opportunities, and create new pathways to employment through workforce training programs. By investing in a demonstration kitchen, expanded nutrition education, and enhanced community resources, we are helping build a stronger support system for individuals and families who need it most. Fighting hunger requires more than providing meals; it requires creating opportunities, empowering families, and addressing the challenges that contribute to food insecurity. This investment will help Island Harvest continue its vital mission while building a healthier, stronger and more resilient Long Island for generations to come.”
Assemblymember Judy Griffin said, “I am proud to support this $5.5 million investment for three worthy organizations in Nassau County: Island Harvest, Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, and the Village of Hempstead Fire Department. I am truly grateful for Island Harvest’s incredible service to the increasing number of residents and families experiencing food insecurity. Their 30-year track record of community outreach has ensured that veterans, seniors, children, and all those in need are consistently nourished with nutritious foods. I applaud the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County for positively impacting the lives of children and adults living with developmental disabilities, with dynamic programs and therapeutic resources for almost 70 years. The Hempstead Fire Department is one of our busiest in Nassau County, protecting 55,000 residents, 15,000 homes, and countless businesses. I have been proud to champion these vital organizations in our State Budget and will continue to support their remarkable work. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for highlighting the strength of these dedicated organizations and providing critical funding to advance their exceptional service and support of our residents.”
Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay said, “Strong communities depend on ensuring residents have access to the resources and services they need to lead healthy, stable lives. Island Harvest’s $1.5 million award will help expand its efforts to address food insecurity through workforce training opportunities and nutrition education. The $3 million awarded to Long Island Select Healthcare will also support access to essential healthcare services in our region. I thank Governor Hochul for recognizing the important work these organizations do and investing in their ability to serve Long Island residents.”
Assemblymember Kwani B. O’Pharrow said, “Investing in our local organizations means investing in the people and families who depend on them every day. These critical improvements will strengthen essential services, enhance public safety, expand access to healthcare and recreation, and ensure our Long Island communities continue to thrive for generations to come.”
Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni said, “Governor Hochul’s nearly $13 million investment in Long Island’s health care, food assistance, public safety, school, and recreational facilities will strengthen essential community services and improve quality of life for residents across our region. These capital investments will help local organizations modernize their facilities, expand access to critical programs and better serve families for years to come. I thank the Governor for supporting these important projects and recognizing the needs of Long Island communities.”
Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly said, “The Deer Park High School Aquatic Center has been a valuable resource for generations of students, families, and residents throughout Deer Park and the surrounding communities. This $3 million investment will help restore a facility that so many in our community have relied on for years. I am incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul for recognizing the importance of this project and for her continued commitment to investing in the needs of our local communities.”
Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer said, “For nearly 50 years, the Deer Park pool has been where our kids learned to swim and our families came together. Governor Hochul’s $3 million investment brings it back and makes it fully accessible to residents with disabilities. That’s a real win for Deer Park and the entire Town of Babylon.”
Deer Park Union Free School District Superintendent James Cummings and Board of Education President Donna Elliott said, “On behalf of the Deer Park School District and our entire community, we are incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul for this generous $3 million investment in restoring our pool. This funding will help us bring back a vital community resource that serves our students, individuals with disabilities and senior citizens, while providing opportunities for swimming instruction, lifeguard training and the development of essential lifesaving skills. More than simply reopening a pool, this investment will positively impact the health, safety and well-being of generations of Deer Park residents.”
Island Harvest Food Bank President and CEO Randi Shubin Dresner said, “Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul’s support, including $1.5 million in capital funding, Island Harvest Food Bank’s Workforce Skills Development Institute will be able to help three times as many people gain the skills they need to support themselves and their families.Our workforce development program is a key tool to tackle root causes of hunger and food insecurity with innovative and sustainable solutions. We are incredibly grateful for the Governor’s support and thank New York State Senator Siela Bynoe for securing additional funding for this important initiative.”
Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County Executive Director Karen Geller-Hittleman said, “On behalf of the Cerebral Palsy (CP) Association of Nassau County, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Governor Kathy Hochul for this extraordinary $3 million investment in CP Nassau. Our Roosevelt facility has been our home since 1952, and while the building has aged over the decades, our commitment to the children and adults with developmental disabilities we serve has never wavered. Maintaining and modernizing a facility of this age requires significant resources, and this funding will allow us to address much-needed capital improvements that are essential to providing a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment. This investment means so much more than improvements to bricks and mortar. It is an investment in the lives of the individuals and families who depend on us every day, as well as the dedicated staff who care for them. We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for recognizing these needs and for her commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities continue to receive the quality services and opportunities they deserve.”
Long Island Select Healthcare Interim Chief Executive Officer Ann Loeffler said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s $3 million investment, and the strong support of Senator Monica Martinez, our Central Islip location can continue to address the growing need for care on Long Island. This funding ensures that every patient we serve, including many individuals with developmental disabilities, receives the high-quality care they deserve close to home.”
Bay Shore-Brightwaters Little League Vice President Sal Puccio said, “We are incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul for this $1 million investment in the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Little League. This funding will help us make long overdue improvements to our facilities and provide a better experience for the hundreds of children and families who are part of our league. For so many families in our community, Little League is more than just sports. It’s where kids build friendships, learn teamwork, and make memories that stay with them for years. We thank Governor Hochul for recognizing how important programs like ours are to local communities and for making an investment that will benefit our young athletes for generations to come.”