Sen. Kaminsky Hosts NYS Homeland Security Cmsr. for Tour of Island Park Flood Mitigation Infrastructure

(Island Park, New York) –– Yesterday,  July 27, 2017, Senator Todd Kaminsky hosted New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) Commissioner Roger Parrino in Island Park for a tour of the village’s infrastructure in light of the persistent and heavy flooding the village has faced.  DHSES is responsible for administering the Village’s $40 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for hazard mitigation projects in the village following superstorm Sandy.  Joining Senator Kaminsky on the tour were Assemblywoman Melissa Miller, Town of Hempstead Councilmember Anthony D’Esposito, Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford, Island Park Mayor Michael McGinty and school district officials.

“It was important to all of us to have the newly-confirmed Commissioner down in Island Park to get a firsthand look at what villagers are experiencing and how we can fix the flooding issues effectively and efficiently,” said Senator Todd Kaminsky.

“I would like to thank the New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services Commissioner Roger Parrino for visiting the Village of Island Park to access the serious flooding problem that plagues this community.  I am looking forward to working with his office and other local elected officials to resolve this issue efficiently and promptly,” said Assemblywoman Melissa Miller.’

“As someone who has lived in Island Park my entire life, I thank Commissioner Parrino for visiting our community to get a ‘boots on the ground’ look at our issues. Standing side by side with partners in government, we urged the Commissioner to expedite the administration of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding to the Village of Island Park,” said Town of Hempstead Councilmember Anthony D’Esposito.

During Commissioner Parrino's confirmation hearing, Senator Kaminsky asked him to tour the Village to get a firsthand look at their flooding issues. In response to Kaminsky’s request, DHSES officials met with Senator Kaminsky and personally visited Island Park to see the urgent need for the funds for and implementation of the mitigation projects.  DHSES has committed to review the materials for the projects and work with the village to meet Hazard Mitigation Grant Program requirements for the project to advance to the next stage.