Senator Fuschillo Participates in Roundtable Meeting of Senate’s Bipartisan Task Force for Hurricane Sandy Recovery at Freeport Recreation Center

Task Force Tours Damaged Communities and Meets with Local Leaders About Recovery Efforts

Photo caption: Senator Fuschillo speaks during the roundtable discussion held by the Senate's Bipartisan Task Force on Hurricane Sandy Recovery at the Freeport Recreation Center. 

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) and other members of the New York State Senate’s Bipartisan Task Force on Hurricane Sandy Recovery recently participated in a roundtable meeting to speak with local officials, business leaders, and individuals about the progress and challenges of the ongoing recovery efforts.

“Hurricane Sandy was one of the worst natural disasters in New York State’s history. Thousands of my constituents sustained severe damage to their homes and businesses; some lost everything they had.  We need the recovery and rebuilding process to happen as quickly as possible. Through this meeting, members of the Task Force from other areas of the state got to see and hear first-hand the challenges we are facing here on Long Island, and I appreciate them coming here,” said Senator Fuschillo.

Discussion at the roundtable meeting, which was held at the Freeport Recreation Center, focused on Hurricane Sandy’s impact on Nassau and Suffolk Counties and was attended by a number of local officials, including representatives from Nassau and Suffolk Counties, the Towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay, and the Villages of Freeport and Amityville. Participants offered critical input about the challenges they are facing and what steps can be taken to help improve preparedness and response for future storms. 

Prior to the roundtable, the Task Force also toured the communities of Freeport, Oceanside, and Island Park so that members from areas outside Long Island could view and understand the extensive storm damage and recovery efforts here.

The task force is identifying areas most in need of recovery assistance and reviewing the rebuilding and storm planning policies to remove roadblocks and ensure better storm preparedness. The task force will develop legislative solutions to implement the recommendations made by the NYS 2100 Commission, the NYS Respond Commission and the NYS Ready Commission. Members will also be traveling to other areas damaged by Hurricane Sandy. 

Task force members play pivotal roles in developing the short- and long-term plans that will help communities get back on their feet following Hurricane Sandy. Each task force member represents one of New York State’s hardest hit areas and is thus uniquely qualified to pinpoint those neighborhoods and businesses that are most in need.

Senator Fuschillo was joined at the meeting by fellow Task Force members Senator Malcolm A. Smith (D-Queens); Senator Jack Martins (R-Mineola), Senator Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley), Senator Diane Savino (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn), Senator Martin J. Golden (R-Brooklyn), and Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland).  Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City), Senator Carl Marcellino (R-Syosset), and Senator Phil Boyle (R-Bay Shore) also attended. 

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