Leadership Huntington Hosts Hot Topic Debate on Councilmanic Districts

Huntington, NY – Over fifty residents were in attendance at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington Village Thursday morning, June 18th, for Leadership Huntington’s Hot Topic debate on councilmanic districts.  The event, which was moderated by Newsday editorialist Joye Brown, featured a panel of six distinguished guests, evenly divided between those in favor of introducing councilmanic districts into the Town of Huntington and those who are not.  Following the debate, Nancy Engelhardt, director of Energeia Partnership and former director of Leadership Huntington, facilitated a question and answer period during which the audience was able to address the panelists directly and learn more about the topic.

The panel advocating the introduction of councilmanic districts consisted of Mark Cronin, co-director of the Concerned Citizens of Huntington, Paul Johnson, longtime supporter of councilmanic districts and Eric Alexander, Executive Director of Vision Long Island.  Former Town Councilman and founding Chairman of Leadership Huntington, Ken Christensen, public relations specialist Judy White and CEO of JV Kelly Group, Jim Kelly, represented the opposing side.

Event chairperson and Leadership Huntington 2003 graduate, Kim D’Ambrosio commented “this was a unique opportunity for Town of Huntington citizens to come together and get the information they need to know from those representing both sides of an important issue facing our town as well as a chance to join in the discussion”.

Leadership Huntington’s hot topic debate on councilmanic districts is the first of a series of events sponsored by the organization that aim to educate Town of Huntington residents on local issues of importance. 

Leadership Huntington also offers community members their Flagship Program which runs over a nine-month period as an educational and team-building program that prepares the leaders of tomorrow by providing a forum in which participants get a comprehensive view of the issues facing the Town of Huntington, develop their leadership skills and are exposed to opportunities for involvement in community affairs.  Participants are given the chance to meet and discuss issues with key community, business and local government leaders.  Comprised of a series of workshops, the program offers “hands-on” problem--solving experiences that stimulate interest and awareness of critical current issues. 

The program is ideal for a budding new leader in the Town of Huntington or for an established member of the community looking to enhance his/her involvement.  Leadership Huntington is currently recruiting potential candidates for their 2010 class, which will begin in January.  If you are interested, please download a Leadership Huntington application at www.leadershiphuntington.org or call (631) 470-3990.

 

Please read Newsday's coverage of the debate at:

http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/huntington/blog/2009/06/first_debate_on_council_distri.html#more