Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour with Visit to Manhasset Bay

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Gina Sillitti for a boat tour of Manhasset Bay on Long Island to see the effects that climate change are having on the bay and surrounding communities.

“Manhasset Bay and coastal communities like Port Washington are bearing the brunt of climate change day in and day out,” said Speaker Heastie. “Thank you to Assemblymember Sillitti for inviting me out on this boat tour to see first-hand the effects that erosion and severe flooding are having on this community. We’ll keep working to fight climate change and get our communities the resources they need to recover and protect against future flood damage.”

“I’m honored to have Speaker Heastie join us on today’s boat tour of Manhasset Bay,” said Assemblymember Sillitti. “As our area continues to see the effects of severe storms and the larger impact of climate change, we will continue to work together to improve the health of our bays and Long Island Sound and fight climate change while shoring up our communities and infrastructure.”

Together, Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Sillitti toured Manhasset Bay by boat, seeing the way in which devastating storms like Superstorm Sandy have damaged the health of the bay, and ways in which climate change are impacting the area’s residents and businesses every day, as they battle shore erosion and flooding. They were joined by Mallory Nathan, North Hempstead Waterfront Advisory Committee Chair William Cornachio, Toms Point Marina Owner Thomas Lampus and Manhasset Bay Marina Co-owner Nadine Delmonte.

"I am honored to join Assemblywoman Sillitti in welcoming Speaker Heastie to tour Manhasset Bay,” said North Hempstead Town Council Member Mariann Dalimonte, who helped organize the visit but was unable attend. "As we witness the effects of storms like Hurricane Sandy, it becomes evident that we urgently need state or federal funding for essential projects like dredging. Securing these resources is crucial in preserving the health of our bay, protecting against erosion, and ensuring the safety and prosperity of our residents and businesses. I commend Assemblywoman Sillitti for her recognition of the urgent need for dredging in Manhasset Bay, and working together, with all levels of government, we will protect our environment, invest in resilient infrastructure, and safeguard the health and prosperity of our residents against the impacts of climate change."