Business & Tech

Candidates Address Next Generation of Leaders

Young Adult Alliance of Long Island hosts political candidates in forum about the future.

Young people from around the region came to Plainview Wednesday to meet political candidates and discuss issues facing the next generation of younger Long Island professionals.

About 75 people attended Wednesday's night event at the in Plainview to confront issues affecting young adults on Long Island. 

This "Meet The Young Adults" event allowed candidates to address their younger constituents and speak to the issues that impact their every-day lives. The gathering was sponsored by the

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"It's great that younger generations can come together and voice their opinions and have them addressed by current and future leaders," said financial advisor Peter Vratimos of Floral Park, a member of the group.

"It is imperative that our candidates and future leaders recognize young adults as an important and relevant constituency," said Plainview's Lou Imbroto, a board member of the YAA. "While Long Islanders pay among the highest property taxes in the nation to educate their children, these same children find it impossible to remain on Long Island due to high property taxes and the lack of affordable housing."

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"We need to find a way to retain these young people so that they can build their own futures right here on Long Island," Imbroto said.

Wednesday's event hosted candidates from a variety of districts throughout Long Island, including Babylon Supervisor and candidate for Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, D-Babylon, Nassau County Legislator , D-Woodbury, and Huntington Councilwoman Glenda Jackson, D-Huntington.

"It was an amazing opportunity to bring together the Young Adults of Long Island with our current and potentially upcoming officials," said , a board member and YAA event coordinator. "What was particularly special was the chance to speak one-on-one with Steve Bellone as a Suffolk County resident," said Marmer, who lives in Commack and is an advertising manager for Patch.

Bellone discussed plans for improved transportation access to the Route 110 corridor, Marmer said.

The Young Adult Alliance meets once a month in Melville to discuss important issues facing Long Island young people, including housing, business development, and the future of the region.

The group plans future events connecting young professionals to the decision-makers who will impact their lives.

Food for the event was donated by of Plainview. The venue was donated by


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