Holbrook, NY - January 14, 2016 - Suffolk County Legislator Bill Lindsay has recently been named the new Chairman of the Legislature’s Parks & Recreation Committee and has been re-appointed as the Chairman of the Legislature’s Economic Development Committee and Vice Chairman of the Government Operations and Personnel Committee for the third consecutive year.

The Economic Development committee has jurisdiction and oversight over all programs, policies, funds, grants, and initiatives dealing with the stimulus, growth, management, revitalization, or development of Suffolk’s economy, as well as the County’s Downtown Revitalization Program, and cultural affairs issues. This committee also has jurisdiction over leases and management of Suffolk’s Francis S. Gabreski Airport, local development corporations and Empire Zone matters. 

“Long-term regional success depends heavily on our ability to create jobs, retain and attract an educated workforce, and our ability to protect and preserve our 46,000 acres of parkland for generations to enjoy,” said Lindsay. “Economic development and Parks and Recreation intersect and overlap in many aspects, as our parks help to spur tourism and help to promote our region as a whole, which in turn can bring dollars back to our local economy.”

The Parks & Recreation committee has jurisdiction over the County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation; the Vanderbilt Museum; the management of County parks; the management of County golf courses; and the Parks Board of Trustees. In addition the committee also oversees golf course initiatives; municipal recreational programs; hunting; fishing; outdoor recreational activities; and similar projects or programs. It also interacts with Federal, State, and local officials, representatives of the private sector, schools, clubs, colleges, sportsmen, fishermen, hunters, community organizations, the Suffolk County Sports Commission, and interested individuals to promote such activities.

“The Suffolk County Parks System is truly one which all county residents can be proud of,” said Lindsay. “As a boater and a golfer myself I know that our parks systems provide us with quality leisure opportunities from Montauk to Huntington and I’m proud to be in a position to highlight and enhance these parks.”