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Open For Summer Season Recently, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone declared Fire Island open for business for the summer of 2013 season. He was joined by the Mayor of Ocean Beach, James Mallot, Islip Town Supervisor Tom Croci, and members of “Revive FI”, the Fire Island grassroots business association, to provide updates on the state of Fire Island’s economic recovery for Summer 2013. Just over six months ago, Hurricane Sandy devastated the remote 32-mile-long barrier island leaving residents and businesses with the challenge of trying to restore normalcy before the summer months. The restoration effort was forced to begin immediately, as local businesses rely entirely upon tourism spending for its survival during a slim 12-week summer vacation season. This restoration effort included an unprecedented debris removal process coordinated across multiple municipalities, government agencies,
and local community organizations. Fire Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and accessible only by boardwalk or ferry. It offers a private close-tohome paradise to New Yorkers looking for a beach getaway while also serving as a barrier beach to protect the south shore of Long Island. “We are proud to declare Fire Island ‘Open for Business!’ We want to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and all of the local towns, municipalities, and community groups that collaborated in an unprecedented fashion to complete a debris removal and rebuilding process that many believed would never be finished on time,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone “It has been 6 months of solid hard work but we are determined to be open for the summer season,” said Mayor of Ocean Beach, Jim Mallot. “I want to thank all of
the first responders and emergency personnel who led these communities through Hurricane Sandy, and I applaud the efforts of Fire Island’s residents and business owners as they recover from this storm,” said Islip Supervisor Tom Croci. “The scale of devastation that Fire Island endured is hard to comprehend, but it will be overcome. Fire Island is back and ready for summer.” “We are here to let people know that Fire Island is still the same magical place it was before Sandy came rolling through and your friends are waiting for you,” said Scott Hirsch from Revive FI. The Suffolk County IDA, who provided emergency sales tax relief for 10 Fire Island based businesses, contributed $20,000 to the ReviveFI advertising campaign. Suffolk IDA CEO/Executive Director Anthony Manetta stated, “The IDA is proud to lend our support to let the public know that Fire Island IS open for business”.
Golf Outing Honoree Christopher Van Tuyl, his wife Mary and family believe strongly in supporting community based organizations, which is why the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook is proud to announce Chris as this year’s distinguished honoree at its upcoming 17th Annual Golf Tournament at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in East Setauket. “I am proud to be the honoree for the Long Island Museum’s 17th Annual Golf Tournament. My wife Mary and my family enjoy supporting local community organizations like St. Charles Hospital, Ward Melville Heritage organization and now, the Long Island Museum. Raising awareness about these organizations that add value to the communities they serve, is something Mary and I are passionate about and will continue to support.”
Chris has served as President and board member of the Long Island Lumber Association and board member for the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association and the Cleary School for the Deaf. He and his brother Bill, and Nassau Suffolk Lumber & Supply, have been involved with supporting St. Charles Hospital functions including the St. Charles Gala, the Annual Golf & Tennis Tournament and numerous health fairs. In 2002 Chris and Bill received the Theodore Roosevelt Award from St. Charles for their continued support. Mary serves on the Long Island Museum’s Holiday Celebration committee. She is also co-chair of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Jewels & Jeans event, where she and Chris were honored in 2011.
Chris enjoys playing golf and currently resides in Head of the Harbor with his wife Mary, son Palmer and daughter Olivia. S p o n s o r s h i p opportunities for the museum’s 17th Annual Golf Tournament are available. For more information about the tournament or to become a sponsor, please contact Alexandria D’Auria at 631.751.0066 extension 247 or adauria@ longislandmuseum.org. Located at 1200 Route 25A in Stony Brook, the Long Island Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate dedicated to American history and art with a Long Island connection. The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For information about exhibitions and other events please call 631.751.0066 or visit www. longislandmuseum.org.
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Suffolk Zone 6 - NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS - Wednesday May 22, 2013 • www.southbaysneighbor.com
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