25 Years of Accomplishments

1984 - Neighborhood Network founded. First campaigns included calling for recycling programs and promoting clean energy alternatives to the Shoreham nuclear power plant.

1985 - Obtained federal Superfund clean up of Wagner Seed and Grain warehouse fire.

1986 - Won closure of old Oyster Bay incinerator and pressured the Town of Hempstead to start recycling program.

1987 - Investigation of asbestos problem in local schools resulted in full remediation.

1988 - Opened Suburban Advocates Office to aid homeowners in fighting overdevelopment.

1989 - Brought attention to faults of incineration deals with lawsuit challenging the Town of Oyster Bay' s incinerator contract.

1990 - Presented the 13 point Suburban Environmental Initiative as a policy guideline for local politicians.

1991 - Won cancellation of proposed Oyster Bay incinerator, after a six year battle.

1992 - Released report showing non-compliance with state oil recycling law. Sued Dept. of Environmental Conservation for failure to perform mandated oil pollution study. Introduced government pesticide reduction legislation in both counties.

1993 - Filed 18,000 signatures pressuring NYS legislature to pass Pine Barrens Protection Act. Won cancellation of sludge pelletization plants in Nassau. Staff Attorney appointed to Nassau County Charter Reform Commission.

1994 - Spearheaded successful, grassroots campaign for Nassau Government reforms, including requirement for a master plan. Lawsuit forced DEC to complete, for the first time in ten years, an oil recycling study required annually by law.

1995 - Stopped proposed regional medical waste incinerator in a residential community. Won implementation of least toxic pesticide use policy for Nassau Cty. Appointed to Nassau Pesticide Advisory Committee.

1996 - Won passage by Nassau Cty. of Neighbor Notification law for chemical spraying. A judge later ruled that only the State had jurisdiction. Helped organize citizen initiative in Suffolk, which gathered 37,000 signatures to restore funding for pine barrens preservation.

1997 - Worked with a coalition of park users to prevent the destruction of the picnic area, ball fields, and nature trails at Bethpage State Park. Brought a lawsuit against Suffolk Cty. for its failure to consider the alternative of organic management for new County golf courses. Organized Nassau Master Plan Task Force, bringing together over 40 citizen' s groups to provide community input on Nassau' s first Master Plan.

1998 - Release a survey of 131 LI stores showing which sell alternatives to pesticides. Master Plan Task Force was successful in getting numerous recommendations included in the final Plan adopted by Nassau County, including a dedicated Environmental Fund. Participated in coalition which was successful in passing campaign finance reforms in Suffolk County

1999 - Achieved a groundbreaking legal victory against Suffolk Cty. for their failure to take a " hard look" at the alternative of operating five new golf courses without the use of pesticides. Held the first annual Long Island Organic Trade Show to promote businesses that are providing horticultural services and products without chemical pesticides. Worked with a coalition of local civic groups and environmental organizations to convince N.Y. State to create a state park at the site of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Hospital.

2000 - Won passage by NYS of Neighbor Notification Law (Marcellino, DiNapoli) for pesticide spraying. Governor' s signature on law marks first legislation of it' s kind in the nation, protecting citizens from pesticide exposure.

2001 - Presented " Four Steps to a Toxic-Free Organic Lawn" a series of educational forums to inform homeowners about caring for their property without toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Organized public meeting to highlight dangers of East Hampton Town landfill. Initiated " Toxic-Free Schools" project, to help schools eliminate pesticides.

2002 - Worked with a coalition of civic groups to achieve a groundbreaking victory bringing " council districts" to Brookhaven Town for more representative, accountable government. Held over twenty " Organic Lawn" educational forums, from Port Washington to East Hampton. Expanded our signature publication the Organic Lawn Guide & Environmental Resource Directory to include information on non-toxic home cleaning and pest control, as well as energy efficiency.

2003 - As the Federally funded Nassau Hub Major Investment Study began, facilitated involvement of 50 citizen groups through the Nassau Hub Citizens Advisory Committee. Achieved victory in bringing " council districts" to North Hempstead. Founding participant in Long Island' s Off Shore Wind Energy Initiative. Successfully worked to create an "Open Space Fund" in Nassau County.

2004 - Worked with developers to develop an organic maintenance protocol for the proposed Bayberry golf course. The course was approved by the Town Board of Southampton as one of the best environmental proposals ever before the Town. Launched the Clean Energy Leadership Task Force.

2005 - Successfully urged 7 L.I. Municipalities to adopt Clean Energy Action Plans. L.E.D. holiday light campaign resulted in first ever year-over-year reduction in energy use for holiday lights on Long Island. Presented over 20 free public forums on local solutions to global warming.

2006 - Drafted and promoted legislation requiring new home construction to meet Energy Star Homes requirement. The resolution is adopted by the towns of Brookhaven, Babylon, Oyster Bay and Riverhead.

2007 - Released Leading the Way report on clean energy efforts of Long Island municipalities. Launched LI Interfaith Environment Network. Hempstead and Huntington adopt Energy Star Homes legislation.

2008 - Suffolk County passes law prohibiting County funds from being spent on single serving disposable water bottles. The towns of Islip, North Hempstead and Southampton pass Energy Star Homes requirements.

2009 - The best is yet to come...