Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

[CJDaley]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

All politics is local.

Bingo! I wish I had a prize to award Karin because she just hit the nail on the head. This has nothing to do with a Federal stimulus bill, it has nothing to do with which side of the political aisle you sit on and it has nothing to do with the grassy knoll. This all boils down to what can be done on a local level and why I gave you the names of the Congressional leaders and country executive.

Thanks Karin, all three of your posts have been dead on correct and incredible insightful especially on the CSEA issue.

[KarinTimour]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Thanks, Chris, I've been through this process several times with health insurance bills, and the waltz is always the same. This year, with the state deficits higher than in past years, they're getting off to a faster, more public start.

I don't yet know where the CSEA that represents the workers at Old Bethpage Village fits into the whole puzzle. But the Governor has asked the CSEA locals that represent state workers to a) abandon our new contract (we worked without a contract for over a year while they were trying to negotiate the last one and just got it signed this summer), and b) work five days for free this winter. He said without that, he'd be forced to consider layoffs. The union said that they weren't willing to rip up the contract and what was his next offer? No word yet, but rest assured there is fevered activity happening behind the scenes.

It sounds as though Suozzi is doing the local version of this particular dance.

It's early days yet -- this is going to take at least all spring and might well go into the summer. But there is work that we can be doing already. By sending in your letters you are arming those who will be making the decisions to move Old Bethpage off the table. "Gee, Tom, I know you said that we'd have to close old Bethpage, but I'm drowning in mail already and it's only February. The phones are ringing off the hook and my constituents won't stand for it. If we close Old Bethpage, I'm going to have every Boy Scout and Girl Scout in my district calling me mud and old ladies will kick me crossing the street."

Legislators hate an issue where they've been painted as clearly on the side of Satan -- because often most voters don't know or care what they do. So if the only thing that a voter knows their legilsator did was close Old Bethpage and that voter is angry enough to fire off a letter, they might vote for "anybody but the incumbent" at the next election. Legislators are into job security.

Keep those letters coming!

Save Old Bethpage!

Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[MBBursig]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

I have recieved similar responses from other Legislators as well! The classic double speak or "pass the buck!" Some are even the peverbial "F You!" To quote The Who, "don't fooled again!" I echo every other comment here. Keep the letters, calls, and messages flying into those mail and inboxes. Many of my students have decided to write letters as well.

To show this outrage for this issue, on Tuesday there were 50 people on a Facebook Group devoted to saving the Village, now there are close to 1,000. If everyone writes one letter to Suozzi from that group alone then that is an impact, but we need more!

[Beth Chamberlain]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

This will NOT drag out through the Spring. Below is the text of an email I just recieved.


Update February 5, 2009

As of today we have had increased interest from former OBVR staff members, Village volunteers and many of the volunteer historical re-enactors who have come make Old Bethpage Village a part of their lives. Through Frank Ruiz, Captain of the 14th Brooklyn - we are looking forward to a story on WCBS News. Hopefully in the very near future we will see a story in Newsday about OBVR and the other parks and museums slated to close. Our friend Christopher has even set up a facebook page “Help Save Old Bethpage Village Restoration, long Island, NY.” with over 1000 “friends” to date.



We’ve been told that the fate of the Village hinges on the renegotiation of the Civil Service Employees Union’s contract and that the Village and all museums and several parks could close in April. We believe the fate of the Village also hinges on the votes in the Nassau County Legislature this Monday, February 9th, that would authorize the laying off of all museum employees, selected parks employees, and other county staff.



The museum staff at OBVR and the other sites are very distraught and are in dire need of your support to guide the Union and County officials in positive discussions to end this crisis. It should be noted that Old Bethpage Village has had tremendous support over the past year from County Executive Suozzi and his deputies. The Village has had eight new roofs built, removed the decaying Coles House, had some exterior painting done, which was to continue in 2009, and is about to embark on several major construction projects in the Village and on the Fairgrounds which would surely generate the income necessary to make the Village viable.

[CJDaley]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Thanks for the update Beth and welcome to the Authentic Campaigner. For those of you who haven't met Beth, she is a seamstress and an interpreter. She makes really beautiful dresses and works really hard to authentically dress the folks at Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

I really appreciate everyone's efforts at this stage to just write into our leaders and let them know how we feel. Starting a grass roots effort is the first step to getting something done. I'm always utterly amazed at the response the folks on the A-C.com give to preservation issues.

States like NY are in serious financial trouble these days and the first thing to get cut are parks-n-rec (museums). In the last few weeks major museum cutbacks have been announced on Long Island.

• Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum Plans to cut hours or personnel in spring. Vacant position of collections manager going unfilled.
• Cradle of Aviation Museum Eliminated showings of poorly attended classic IMAX movies on weekday afternoons and cut part-time staff accordingly.
• Heckscher Museum of Art 5-percent salary cut. Reduced budget for exhibits and events.
• Long Island Children's Museum Canceled February weekend program exploring maritime activities and art. Imposed hiring and salary freeze.
• Long Island Museum of American Art, History and Carriages Cutting staff and programs.
• Parrish Art Museum Eliminated half dozen positions. Deferred construction of a new $81-million facility in Water Mill.
• Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum Could close at end of February unless county OKs bailout plan.
• Walt Whitman Birthplace May shut doors in April.

If these museums close, where are folks ever going to get a hands on education about WWII bombers, impressionistic art or science lessons?

[KarinTimour]

Urgent: Phone Calls Needed

Beth wrote:
This will NOT drag on through the spring -- We believe the fate of the Village also hinges on the votes in the Nassau County Legislature this Monday, February 9th, that would authorize the laying off of all museum employees, selected parks employees, and other county staff.

Ok, troops, this is the first hurdle. If they vote on Monday to lay off the staff, Beth's right, we won't have to fight through the spring, the Village will die on Monday.

Because the staff will immediately start interviewing for jobs elsewhere, and even if we get the vote reversed in April or May, a number of them will have moved away.

We can't let that happen.

Thomas Suozzi and as many Nassau County Legislators as possible need to hear from us.

1. Call them. Early and often. Call today, call through the weekend and overwhelm their answering machine or keep their answering service busy through the weekend. Keep calling on Monday.

2. They will be keeping a tally of how many calls they get for or against the layoffs. Don't worry about having to discuss this with the person on the other end of the phone. They will just listen to you for about 3 minutes, thank you for calling and get you off the line.

Here's what to say when you call:
"I'm calling to fight the closing of Old Bethpage Village. I heard there will be a vote on Monday to lay off the staff. I am strongly opposed to laying off the Old Bethpage Village staff and will be watching who votes to close the village...."

If you want, add something here about why you think the Village is important.

They may try to explain that this is not a vote to close the village, just to "authorize" the layoffs if they are needed in the future. They may say that it's just an adminstrative vote, nothing to worry about. They may say this wouldn't be necessary if the unions would "work with them."

Don't be fooled -- we don't want to give them advance permission to lay people off in the dark of the night on some unspecified date in the future.

3. Is a long rant better than a short statement and getting off the phone? There are two different perspectives on this. Keeping in mind they are keeping a tally with just the number of calls received on either side of the issue, 5 short calls are probably better than one 15 minute rant. On the other hand, some people aim to try to keep the phone engaged for as long as possible, to keep them from being able to do any other business that day and impress upon them how difficult their lives are going to be if the vote goes the wrong way. Use either strategy, depending on what feels best to you, probably both will have some impact.

4. Remember, it's the NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATURE who will be voting on Monday. Thomas Suozzi, and every member of the Nassau County Legislature need to hear from every one of us today or through the weekend. Don't waste time for the next four days on the State Senators or Assemblypeople, the Governor or Barak Obama. Only Nassau County Legislators will be voting on Monday. That's who needs to hear from us, loud and clear. Put the pressure where the votes are. If we win this vote, that buys time to focus on the next step. If we lose this vote, we're likely dead in the water.

5. Fax them. You can send them your letters or emails by fax. Again, letters with a stamp carry more weight, but a fax can get there by Monday. And yes, they are old fashioned, a fax carrys more weight than an email, even though you may send them from the same keyboard.

Who needs to hear from you:
Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi
Telephone: (516) 571-3131 Fax: 516-571-4000

Finance Committee Members:
Chair: Roger Corbin
Telephone: 516-571-6202 Fax: 516-571-6761

Vice Chair: Wayne Wink
Telephone: 516-571-6211 Fax: 516-571-6271

Ranking Member: John Ciotti
Telephone: 516-571-6203 Fax: 516-571-6732

Finance Committee Members:
Kevan Abraham
Telephone: 516-571-6201 Fax: 516-571-6187

Denise Ford
Telephone: 516-571-6204 Fax: 516-571-6264

Joseph Scannell
Telephone: 516-571-6205 Fax: 516-571-0291

Vincent Mascarella
Telephone: 516-571-6208 Fax: 516-571-6268

Richard Nicolello
Telephone: 516-571-6209 Fax: 516-571-6166

Judi Bosworth
Telephone: 516-571-6210 Fax: 516-571-0405

Additional Legislators (Will be voting Monday, not on the Finance Committeee)

Frances Becker
Telephone: 516-571-6206 Fax: 516-571-6133

Jeffrey Toback
Telephone: 516-571-6207 Fax: 516-571-6287

Peter Schmitt
Telephone: 516-571-6212 Fax: 516-571-6734

Norma Gonsalves
Telephone: 516-571-6213 Fax: 516-571-6746

David Meijas
Telephone: 516-571-6214 Fax: 516-571-6134

Dennis Dunn
Telephone: 516-571-6215 Fax: 516-571-6235

Judith Jacobs
Telephone: 516-571-6216 Fax: 516-571-6287

Edward Mangano
Telephone: 516-571-6217 Fax: 516-571-6277

Diane Yatauro
Telephone: 516-571-6216 Fax: 516-571-6158

David Dennenburg
Telephone: 516-571-6219 Fax: 516-571-3907


6. I think its a fine idea to show up Monday with a sign that says "Save Old Bethpage Village -- Vote No on Layoffs." Can't help, might get some coverage on the evening news.

7. If I had more notice, I'd take off work myself, but I'm only just hearing about this vote and I have obligations at work that I can't avoid.

8. We can win this vote -- and showing them we mean business at this stage of the game can only help as we move forward into the spring.

Take Action Today and Straight through the weekend!

Save Old Bethpage Village!

Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[KarinTimour]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Since I added the fax and telephone numbers, wanted to bump this back up to the top of the list.

WE CAN WIN.
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[MBBursig]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Our cause was able to make it onto CBS news thanks to the Ruiz Family of the 14th Brooklyn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgL17ATafb4

[rad2duhbone53]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Correspondences are sent out. It would a shame and a loss if this happened.

[KarinTimour]

How you Can Help this Weekend

Thank you, Rad2thebone for making those calls -- we need you. My accent doesn't read "Long Island" but I made them too. I hope others will as well.

Thank you, Matthew for the link to the clip. Unfortunately, it's telling the story that the Nassau Co. Legislature wants told.

"The Legislators will be forced to close the parks and lay off the staff at our beloved Old Bethpage because the evil unions have their heels dug in about a pay cut and won't negotiate." What clips of the Ruiz family speaking made the story? "Everybody needs to sacrifice in these times of hardship" Translation: the Unions should cave. "People can't afford big vacations, they'll go local" translation: Because the unions won't take the cuts, Long Island is going to lose this summer's revenue from the travelling public. "Our family's history is here, we've got tombstones all over the area." Who better to know?

Maybe this is what the Ruiz family thinks -- but I bet it's much more along the lines of "We love Old Bethpage and we don't want it closed. Period." Perhaps they've bought that the unions are the total problem, perhaps they haven't -- but it's a great example of how the news media shape your story.

Most viewers come away after watching saying "Wow, gee that's too bad, I didn't realize it was so dire. Wish the unions would negotiate. Good thing we've got Suozzi at the helm, making the tough choices when they need to be made." And then they switch the channel to see what's on "Cops."

But very few of the millions of viewers who watched that segment are out today leafletting to get people to pressure the legislators.

Which is what those of us within driivng distance need to be doing today and tomorrow. If you're reading these words and want to take inperson action tomorrow to save Old Bethpage, send me an email with your phone or cell phone number. We need to hit everywhere on Long Island that has people in it, and get a leaflet into their hands telling them to call their legislator. If I can hook up with the facebook folks, will issue that invite there as well. We're going to get the word out, and right now it's just me and a few people who have already emailed me. My hope is for teams of people fanning out across Long Island. Even a handful of us can change this -- we're out to get people calling.

Want to help?

1. I am a complete failure at navigating Facebook. If someone can send me the link to find the people who want to help, that would be great.

2. Call me at 212-567-0605 and let's strategize on where to go. If the voice mail fills up, send an email.

WE CAN WIN!

Save Old Bethpage!

Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[MBBursig]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Karin if you are on facebook search the following words:

Help Save Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Long Island, NY

It is the massive group that comes up.

Contact Christopher Thomas (New York) he seems to be the creator...

[KarinTimour]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Matthew:

I'm not on facebook, is there anyway to get in touch with people besides facebook? Can you leaflet tomorrow in Nassau? Send me a PM or an Email.

Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[3alabama]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Karin thank you for getting all this info together for us. People please call these numbers and voice your opposition!!!! Better yet meet us in Long Island tomorrow, after you make the phone calls, to do some grassroots campaigning against this. We need to get the word out NOW as this is apparently going to a vote on Monday.

[CJDaley]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Karin thank you for getting all this info together for us. People please call these numbers and voice your opposition!!!! Better yet meet us in Long Island tomorrow, after you make the phone calls, to do some grassroots campaigning against this. We need to get the word out NOW as this is apparently going to a vote on Monday.

You're a good guy John. Thanks for doing that. I appreciate your efforts on behalf of OBVR.

[Rob Weber]

Re: Save our History: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

As someone who has benefitted for many years what Old Bethpage Village offers to the living history community and the comunity that surrounds it, I am extreemly thankful for all of the support that is being given to Old Bethpage from all of you. Thank you all and I sincerely hope that I will see some of you in the fields of Old bethpage this coming season.

Make some calls, write those emails and DO NOT take anything but the survival of our friends jobs and the Village as an answer to our cry!

I'll see you tomorrow John.

Rob Weber