Watch Part 3 of Leaving Long Island
WLIW21 New York Public Television’s new three-part series examines why young professionals are leaving Nassau and Suffolk counties in record numbers and what this could mean for Long Island’s future. According to Census data, from 1990 to 2006 the number of 25 to 34 year olds declined 8% nationwide, compared to 35% on Long Island. Lack of affordable housing, high taxes and cost of living are affecting those who want to remain and Baby Boomers who are becoming “empty nesters.” LEAVING LONG ISLAND, illustrates why the community must come together to find ways to stop the exodus and ensure that both demographics can keep living, working and raising their families on Long Island.
Hosted by Laura Savini, WLIW21 VP of Marketing and Communications, each episode features interviews with young professionals and highlights from a lively town hall meeting at Hofstra University with professionals, students, academics and policy shapers, moderated by Newsday columnist Joye Brown and former Suffolk County Executive Patrick Halpin and panelists: Marty Cantor, Donald Monti, Lisa Tyson, Richard V. Guardino and Mayors Paul Pontieri of Patchogue, Wayne Hall of Hempstead and Jack M. Martins of Mineola. Part one, “The Crisis” (5/27), offers background on the alarming trend affecting the region juxtaposed against the dream life of Levittown, “America’s first suburb,” in the 1950s. Matt Crosson, Long Island Association, Inc. President/co-host of WLIW21’s Crosson and Welles, also offers his perspective. The second half-hour “Solutions” (5/28) features interviews with Nancy Rauch Douzinas, President of the Rauch Foundation, sponsors of the annual Long Island Index and David Kappel, former Mayor of Greenport, and the finale “Hope for the Future” (5/29) features Paul Pontieri, Mayor of Patchogue, and more thoughts from Douzinas.
For related information and statistics about the Long Island region visit:
Long Island Association
Long Island Index
Nassau County, New York
Suffolk County Government
Sustainable Long Island
Vision Long Island
A WLIW21 Production. Executive Producer: Theresa Statz-Smith. Producer: Mary Puma.
