Students at the Huntington Youth Council's 2nd Annual "Youth Forum"

Huntington, NY - Over 150 high schools students shared their opinions on a variety of issues this past Tuesday at the Huntington Youth Council's second annual 'Youth Forum'.  Students from all ten high schools in the Town were invited to participate in a Town Hall meeting held exclusively for high school students.  The event was sponsored and coordinated by the Huntington Youth Council, which was founded by Councilwoman Susan A. Berland five years ago.

After Councilwoman Berland and the Huntington Youth Council Supervisor Jason Rudin, Deputy Supervisor Kevin Kong and Town Clerk Jackie Cangero greeted the packed room; participants met one on one with Council members and discussed issues that concern the youth of our community.

After students were given the opportunity to meet with Huntington Youth Council members, the Council presided over a series of public hearings on issues that were outlined in an agenda given out at the beginning of the event.  Those issues included recycling in schools, researched by Kevin Kong and Sara Sakowitz, affordable and Next Generation Housing, researched by Dan Rabinowitz and the status of the Exxon Mobile Tank Farm in Cold Spring Harbor, researched by Rebecca Dyckman.

Huntington Youth Council representative Lee Gochman lead the public portion of the hearings, in which participants testified on other issues that included substance abuse, solar paneling in schools and street light installation.  All participants were invited to join the Huntington Youth Council after the event for refreshments.

With the cooperation of Five Towns College, the Huntington Youth Council's second annual "Youth Forum" was taped and produced and will be aired on the Town of Huntington's government access station, Channel 18, on a later date.

"The Huntington Youth Council's 2nd Annual 'Youth Forum' was a great success," commented Councilwoman Berland.  "The turnout for the event was excellent and I'm pleased that so many students chose to testify on the issues that concern them.  The 'Youth Forum' was an excellent opportunity for young people to communicate with the Huntington Youth Council, as well as their own peers, on the issues that they feel are important.  I would like to thank the Huntington Youth Council for a job well done and for continuing to inspire their fellow students to become not only involved, but agents of change."

For more information on the Huntington Youth Council, please call Councilwoman Berland at 351-3018.