Bethpage, NY - July 14, 2014 - With a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) strike looming for July 20th, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and officials from the Applied Science Foundation for Homeland Security (ASFHS) and the Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT) today announced plans to open a temporary Telecommuting Office at the Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage.
“A LIRR strike will be disastrous as it will cause severe disruption for residents seeking to commute to their jobs,” said County Executive Mangano. “For residents unable to work from home in the event of a LIRR strike, the Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage is a great option for telecommuting and I thank the Applied Science Foundation for Homeland Security and the Long Island Forum for Technology for partnering with Nassau County.”
On strike weekdays, the Morrelly Homeland Security Center will make available 30,000 square feet of office space that is currently furnished with desks, chairs and offices. Space will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis as a temporary work location. To reserve a desk, residents should call (516) 573-9792.
Barry Shorten, Co-Chairman of LIFT, stated, “LIFT and the Applied Science Foundation commend the County Executive for taking leadership to help the residents of Nassau County whose lives will be severely impacted by a possible LIRR strike. We are pleased to make our facilities available as a resource for the County.”
County Executive Mangano added, “While Nassau County is working with New York City to adjust traffic lights on Merrick Road and Sunrise Highway so that green lights last longer during morning commutes westbound and evening commutes eastbound, the MTA must release a realistic contingency plan that includes more park-and-ride locations for Nassau County than originally proposed.”