Dear Karen,

The summer may be over, but the Pines season is not. There are still many exciting happenings in the community over the next few weeks. 

Community Clean-ups

After changes were made three years ago in the garbage contract between Brookhaven and their chosen contractor, Brownie, I am pleased to announce that FIPPOA was successful in negotiating a full return this Fall: Saturday, October 15^th for household items and Saturday, October 22^nd for yard waste. Please read the following announcements to determine which items may (and may not) be disposed and to be aware of the dumpster locations along Fire Island Boulevard.  

Please note that we are trying a new process this year with yard waste, by using a chipper provided by the Brookhaven Highway Department. Because there is only one chipper, we are offering only two pick-up sites which will be open one at a time during the hours designated. While the two-dumpster limit may require additional effort to move yard waste to the dumpster site, we are hopeful the dumpsters will not fill up early (which requires that people be turned away) thereby maximizing the overall benefit to more residents who wish to participate. 

If you are unable to participate in these clean-ups, please keep in mind that Brownie will continue curbside pick-up service for both bulk items and yard waste placed outside your homes in accordance with the required guidelines through November 30th.

Community Closing Party

On Saturday, October 22nd, the Community Potluck Closing Party will be held at Whyte Hall from 5PM to 7PM. This year, we will resume the pre-pandemic tradition of encouraging you to bring food dishes (hot and cold), desserts, snacks, sodas and alcohol to share with your neighbors. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here. 

Please Consider Changing Voter Registration to Fire Island

On many occasions, I have encouraged Pines homeowners and renters to change their voter registration to their owned or rented Pines address. Doing so will enable you to vote in Brookhaven local elections, the Fire Island Pines Fire Commissioners annual election, and of course in federal elections in a New York geography that is considered a competitive, swing district. 

This flyer explains how voting on Fire Island can make a difference. It also provides all the information about the 2022 registration requirements, the deadlines for changing and once registered, for requesting an absentee ballot. It also includes links to the form(s) you must complete and where and when the required paperwork must be submitted.

If you want to participate in this upcoming November elections, the deadlines for submitting these forms to the Suffolk County Board of Elections (BOE) are rapidly approaching.

• Unless you are already registered using your Pines address (owned or rented), a registration form must be postmarked by October 14^th (yes, tomorrow!).
• Once registered, a request for Absentee Ballot must be made by letter or on-line by October 24th
• Last day to postmark an Absentee Ballot is November 8^th

And please keep in mind that with New York State now offering early voting opportunities at multiple sights on Long Island close to Sayville, voting in person is now easier than it has ever been. 

Jackie Gordon Fundraiser

If you haven’t already been persuaded to register to vote locally, here’s another compelling reason. With the once every decade state redistricting process now complete, the Pines has been redistricted to New York Congressional District #2 (formerly #1). This is a highly competitive district where the winner representing us in Congress in D.C. may be determined by just a few hundred votes. 

The upcoming November election will be a choice between the incumbent (Republican) Andrew Garbarino and his challenger (Democrat) Jackie Gordon. The Human Rights Campaign has endorsed Jackie Gordon, and the Cook Political report includes this race among the (decreasing number of) competitive house districts nationwide. 

A number of Pines residents are hosting a fundraiser for Jackie Gordon this Saturday afternoon at Glenn Rice’s Pyramid House. If you are interested in putting your support behind Jackie, I encourage you to donate and, if you can, to attend this Saturday in the Pines.  

Minutes From Fall Community Meeting

Approximately 160 neighbors attended last month’s Fall Community Meeting & Election. Thanks to outgoing Secretary, Gary Clinton, you may be informed of what was discussed whether you were able to attend or not. As these minutes reflect, many important topics were covered both during the planned agenda and the open microphone, community feedback portions of the meeting. Together with the monthly FIPPOA and Pines Foundation board meeting minutes, they are also published on the FIPPOA website. 

You will notice a portion of the agenda dedicated to a discussion of how the monkeypox vaccine was made available in the Pines. Recently, I received this letter from Governor Kathy Hochul thanking the Pines for our participation in the vaccination effort. 

I would also like to share that based on the open mic feedback received, the Town of Brookhaven Highway Department crew have since walked the entire length of Fire Island Boulevard securing any loose boards. They have also nearly completed the installation of a new cement walkway from Sail Walk to the Boulevard. Thank you for the feedback!

Pines Foundation Philanthropy

A picture paints a thousand words. And among them painted here are joy, gratitude, and Pines community pride. Allan Baum, Executive Producer of the Pines Party and FIPPOA/Pines Foundation Vice President, is presenting Jarrett Lucas, Executive Director of the Stonewall Community Foundation, with a $70,000 check from the proceeds of this year’s Pines Party, “Bacchanalia.”

The Pines Foundation, through the Pines Party, has contributed over $1.4 million to Stonewall since 1999. While most of the money raised from the weekend event remains in the community – for example to fund a substantial portion of the Trailblazers Park installation – we are proud that the Pines community can exercise our philanthropic values by partnering with such an amazing organization as Stonewall. To learn more about Stonewall and its work, please visit their website here.  

Information from The Board of Fire Commissioners

The Fire Island Pines Fire Commissioners asked that I share the following information with the community.

First is their proposed 2023 District Budget. All Pines property owners, thereby taxpayers, are invited to stop by the firehouse on Tuesday, October 16^th from 3-5PM to ask any questions about the proposed budget. You may also email your questions until October 23^rd to commisioners@fipfd.org.

The second item they asked me to share is a permissive referendum that the Board passed on October 1^st to use up to $560,000 of District reserves to purchase a new fire truck. The currently in-use fire pumper, known as 5-28-1, is over 30 years old and in need of significant repairs; however, they have concluded that replacement is a better option. The District has been contributing to reserves for the last several years in anticipation of this decision; thus, there will not be a need to increase taxes.  Voter approval is not required to incur this expense; however, in full transparency, they wish to share this decision with the taxpayers and welcome questions by email to commissioners@fipfd.org.

As I wrote at the beginning of this newsletter, the Pines remains open and active. I hope to see you this Fall on the boardwalks or at any of the upcoming events described in this mid-October newsletter!

Henry

Edward (“Eddie”) Schwartz, a long-time Pines resident until selling his bay-front home just a few years ago, passed away recently in Ft. Lauderdale. Together with his husband, Russell Vance, they spent every summer since 1980 in the Pines, where they met many of their friends and developed an active social life also living in Ft. Lauderdale and New York City. Eddie was on the Board of Directors of Temple B’nai Olam and, for 16 years, a Director of FIPPOA. Eddie and Russell were together since 1980 and married ten years ago. We will miss Eddie’s smiling face, loving personality, and his engagement with his many friends in an extended, tight knit Pines social circle.  

Clark Green

Bob Michel, a neighbor of long-time resident Clark Green, notified me of Clark’s recent passing. Here is the link to Clark’s obituary.  

Click here to renew or join FIPPOA Today!

Henry Robin, President

Allan Baum, Vice President

Alan Brodherson, Secretary

Eric Sawyer, Treasurer

Gary Clinton, Greg Henniger, Andrew Kirtzman, Chris Mai, Charles Montorio-Archer, Jay Pagano, Nate Pinsley, Leland Rechis, Russell Saray, Ed Schulhafer, and Matt Tague.