Recap: Board discusses economic woes, bias crimes
A mixed-use development at EPCAL, including homes, industry and stores, is the best solution toward beating the trend of young people leaving Long Island, according to Martin Cantor, the former Suffolk Economic Commissioner who is now chief economist for Destination LI, a non-profit organization aimed at improving the economy.
Mr. Cantor addressed the Riverhead Town Board at its work session Thursday, and his backing of mixed use at EPCAL conformed to a number of other studies. The numbers in Mr. Cantor’s presentation to the board were bleak. Since 2000, higher paying jobs have left Long Island, lower paying jobs have increased and young people are likely to be leaving, too, in the wake of increased taxes and costs of living, according to the presentation.
Also at the work session, board members discussed reviving the town’s dormant anti-bias task force in the wake of a string of violent assaults on Hispanics in recent months in Riverhead.
Rabbi Steven Moss, the chair of the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission, along with other county officials and members of anti-bias task forces from other towns, also were at the meeting.
To find out more about what was discussed at the work session, click below to follow a recap of News-Review reporter Tim Gannon’s live blog from the meeting.
