Week of Thursday May 19, 2005



The complete East End Report is now at www.eastendrep.blogspot.com

Also see
Suffolk Progressive Vision Web Site
for links to the
Suffolk Peace Network Counter Military Recruiting Committee
and much more.

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The East End Report is heard on Bill McNulty's"Lunch on Thursday" 12N, Thursday WUSB
Stony Brook 90.1 FM and WUSB.org

East End Report excerpts on Jim Krivo's Long Island Report Thursday 6:45am on 'Wake Up Call' WBAI 99.5 FM NYC and WBAI.org

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The East End Report is compiled by Tony Ernst.
Comments and corrections should be sent to eastendreport@optonline.net

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East End Women in Black

New Vigil Schedule Starting June

East End Women in Black Continue the third year of this vigil for Peace in Israel, Palestine and Iraq. The vigils will start at 5 pm for the summer months.

1st Sunday in Bridgehampton at Monument at 5pm (next on June 5)
3rd Sunday in Sag Harbor at Wharf 5pm ( next June 19)

More Info at www.eewib.blogspot.com or contact at eewib@optonline.net or 631-831-4966

WPKM and WPKN: Alternative Radio News

Recently community radio station WPKN of Bridgeport at 89.5 FM added a new transmitter broadcasting from Montauk at 88.7 with call sign WPKM. The station is a source for alternative international and national news and decidedly non-commercial music. It is entirely funded by listener contributions and staffed by a group of volunteers. WPKM will serve East Hampton and points in eastern Connecticut. WPKN covers central and eastern Long Island to Southampton.

The Local Slant on News and Public Affairs:

A group of East Enders active in peace and social justice organizations met with WPKN Program Director Luis Pomales, News Director Ebong Udoma, Sandy Sandbank LI coordinator for WPKN and programmer Doug Echols last week. The East Enders discussed how to get local LI news on the stations that reflects the concerns of peace and justice groups. A local 'news team' is being formed for this purpose. Items for WPKM/N local news will be forwarded to the station by the news team. The news group also is planning a local public affairs program which will include news and commentary about local Long Island issues and national and international issues of concern to local activists. Those wishing to be a part of the news team should contact Tony Ernst at eastendreport@optonline.net.

Alternative News of the World:

WPKM and WPKN originate a weekly syndicated news magazine called "Between the Lines" heard Tuesday at 5:30pm, Wednesday at 8 am and Saturday at 2pm. The program "Counterpoint" heard Monday evening at 8pm features interviews with experts on international issues. Both programs cover news from a perspective not heard on the corporate media. Recent guests have included Phyllis Bennis, Naum Chomsky and Robert McChesney. The programs are produced by a team headed by Scott Harris.

In addition a daily (Mon-Fri) news cast "Free Speech Radio News", distributed by Pacifica Radio is heard at 6pm.

New Immigration Law is Needed - Locals Know Why

At a recent meeting in East Hampton called in suport of bias - crime victim Luis Ochoa several speakers talked about the problem of drivers' licenses for local immigrant workers.

One young woman reported being caught in a 'dragnet' in Wainscott where (only) Latinos/Latinas were pulled over for a license check. Another speaker who conducts ESL classes said although there are many eager students for these classes, lately some students are unable to get to classes due lack of transportation.

The "Real ID" legislation apparently being passed in Congress may make it harder than ever for immigrants to get on the road legally and recent New York State legislation requires several IDs be submitted for those without green cards and has caused concern in the immigrant community.

But there may be good news! New legislation has been introduced in Congress by Senators McCain and Kennedy. The Long Island Immigrant Alliance called a news conference this week to publicize the legislation and called for support of the bill while asking for certain improvements to protect the rights of workers.

The McCain/Kennedy bill has provisions that allow employers to get the workers they legitimately need by allowing more workers to come to the U.S. legally to work, and at the same time, it gives immigrants a chance to gain permanent residency and eventually citizenship.

more info: New York Immigrant Coalition 212-627-2227

UPDATE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SOUTHAMPTON

UPDATED 5/18

Housing advocates in Southampton are asking you to sign a petition in support of legislation for affordable housing. Go to the Town's web site (look for Contact Us on the left) and write a message to the town board or sign the petition (see HOUSING PETITION on this site).

From conversations with housing advocates and from public statements it appears that Town Supervison Heaney supports the legislation before the Town Board which would promote affordable housing - both multi-family and single family units. Heaney needs our support because there are many in the town, who are campaigning against this legislation. A final hearing is set for May 24 at the Board Meeting starting at 7 pm.

Housing advocates have issued the following statement:

We support the town board’s proposed legislation “To Create New Special Exception Standards to Allow Multi-Family Residential Development within the Town of Southampton and its companion law To Permit Cottage Housing Developments within the Town of Southampton”, (referred to as Multi-family and Cottage legislation) as well as expanded accessory apartments for the following reasons:

· We need affordable housing; the real estate market is out of reach for 96% of the people who make less than $100,000. annual income living in Southampton.

· Working families who have built our beautiful town, protected its environment and natural resources, conserved its cultural legacy should not be forced to abandon their town they love so well.

· We have seen too many of our best neighbors move out because of affordability or they did not want to abandon their children raising their families, who could not live here.

· We are tired of seeing only seeing only the privileged can buy a house that allows them to remain here.

· Long time residents and their ancestors who built this town have always welcomed newcomers, but are tired of watching their heritage lost or trashed by those who treat our town as if it were only their summer playground to play in.

· Supporters of affordable housing want to strengthen the traditions of the East End by permitting the middle class to remain, to keep good paying jobs in the construction industry and all its ancillary services, and not be forced to commute for low-paying service jobs because we are proud of the craftsmen traditions handed down through generations.

· Opponents of affordable housing want to shut down building sites; turn the clock backwards and stop growth. We’re tired of their avowals of “We support affordable housing, BUT…”

· Opponents who say they’ve got theirs and now don’t care where we go will ruin our town..

· We don’t want to see the East End become a giant gated community. We don’t want a free hand-out; we work hard, we want a fair chance for our families, especially for our kids.

· We respectfully request that you vote for this legislation without delay. We support the town board in their creative strategy to provide affordable housing in Southampton Town.

Sign the petition (look for a copy on this site).

Also, come to the next Town Board Hearing (the last on the housing legislation) on May 24 at 7pm to say you support affordable housing. The board meets on the 2nd Floor at Southampton Town Hall.

For more information contact Michael O'Neill at leoneill@optonline.net
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