The Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce and Senator Carl L. Marcellino hosted a "Going Green Symposium and Business Expo" on September 19th, 2007, at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. According to Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jim Kelly, Long Island residents must "pay attention and participate in the international dialogue presently taking place relative to global warming, ending our reliance on foreign oil as the primary means to support our modes of transportation, and adopt environmentally friendly alternatives within our lifestyles whether at home or at work." The Symposium, he said, was "a realistic first step to bring this global dialogue to Long Island."

Moderated by Greg Cergol of NBC4 and sponsored by LITM along with several other Long Island companies, the Symposium featured a panel discussion by experts in environmental conservation, business and industry, as well as a vendor area for the demonstration of various green products geared toward home and the workplace.

Panel members included Stuart Besen, Councilman, Town of Huntington; Bruce Germano, VP for Retail Sales, Long Island Power Authority; Sol Marie Alfonso-Jones Director of Programs Sustainable Long Island; Ron Lanner, Partner, H2M Group; Daniel Losquadro, Suffolk County Legislator; Frank Mruk, Associate Dean for School of Architecture and Design, NY Institute of Technology; Patti Wood, Executive Director Grassroots Environmental Education; Sarah Lansdale, Executive Director, Sustainable Long Island. They discussed topics such as alternative and flex fuel vehicles, building and architecture, energy-efficient lighting, and solar and clean energy options.

According to Jim Kelly, "Long Island, and in particular Huntington Township, is proud of its open spaces, clear waterways, parks and beaches. This [Symposium] was an important and timely discussion that our Chamber members and the greater community must engage in if we are to preserve our environment for future generations." For more information about the "Going Green Symposium and Business Expo", call 631- 423-6100 or click on www.huntingtonchamber.com.

Pictured (left to right): John Dillon, Manager, Employer Programs and Commuter Services, LITM, Katie Dunn, Employer Services Coordinator, Nassau County, LITM, Marianne Carillo, President and CEO, LITM, Stuart Besen, Councilman, Town of Huntington, Janice Campbell, Marketing Coordinator, LITM and Terri Jimenez, Employer Services Coordinator, Suffolk County, LITM.

Employer Services Coordinator, Suffolk County, Terri Jimenez, LITM (left) discusses commute alternatives with a Symposium attendee.