[Year-Round Housing Committee] LongIslander and Wed. YRHC meeting

[Mlongreene2 at aol.com]

Having had a chance to hear from all of you via e-mail or telephone was  very 
useful feedback.   If I may make a suggestion from all of your  concerns (and 
mine too):    we have a real issue and a real  community problem that will be 
supported by the community once folks (older and  younger) fully appreciate 
the ramifications of these housing issues.    It is amazing to even mention the 
concept of "affordable housing" to folks here  (seasonal or yearround) and 
see the negative response.   Once,  however, I discuss the issue and possible 
solutions (which I have been doing for  quite some time) one by one, folks 
generally come  around.     
    I think we need to focus on what our message is, in  the same way you 
would for a political campaign, and boil it down to some real,  honest, short 
ideas that frame clearly the need and how it does not mean welfare  or lost taxes 
or slum housing or any of the things that lurk in people's  minds over this 
issue.  That may be the most important thing we can do next  Wed.
    The LongIslander is received by the vast majority  of folks here, 
seasonal and yearround.  I had mentioned this idea briefly  last week, but I think 
that an  article by some of you, rather than me,  would be most appropriate in 
this Feb. issue.    Like the survey  cover sheet, it probably should not 
suggest possible solutions, just outline the  housing problem and reasons that it 
needs solutions.     The  deadline for this issue is Thursday, Feb. 1, and the 
next issue is not until  April, long after the survey has gone out and been 
returned.     The timing of this,  while very soon, is good but we must get 
something  ready Wed. evening.  We should hold back sending out the survey until  
people have received this issue.    If you agree, please bring  some drafts of 
possible articles or letters you might submit for the group to  review and 
critique or even better, circulate them via the e-mail for review  ahead of the 
meeting.   Obviously you do not need the groups  review of anything to send it 
in if you want.     I  will be submitting the minutes of the last meeting as 
is unless anyone has  further changes to make to them.    Best,   Mark     
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