Brookhaven Wildlife Center Statement on Possible Ecology Site Closure

The board of the Brookhaven Wildlife Center, a non-profit organization that supports the animals living at the Holtsville Ecology Site released the below statement Friday following an emergency meeting regarding the potential closing of the site. 

First and foremost, thank you to all those who attended last night's Town Board meeting. Your voice and your presence there sent a clear message - LEAVE THE HOLTSVILLE ECOLOGY SITE OPEN!!!! 

Last night, our not-for-profit board held its monthly meeting to discuss next steps, and we also met with both candidates for Town Supervisor to see where they stood on keeping the ecology site open. We want to thank both Brian Beedenbender and Ed Romaine for taking the time to sit and share their views with us. Both candidates agreed to issue statements to us that we can post on our site, so all of our supporters can see where they stand on this issue. We hope to have those statements posted by the end of the weekend. 

It is important to clear up some of the misinformation that has been put out there by town hall. They claim that closing the ecology site will save $900,000. THIS IS NOT TRUE. Town Highway employees just had a new contract ratified last week. The workers agreed to concessions that will save the town $1.8 million next year alone. There is a no layoff clause in that contract. Town Hall cannot claim savings on labor costs they legally cannot cut. The real amount they would "save" is closer to $200,000. We ask that Town Hall be honest and stick to the facts. 

All of the calls and e-mails to town hall have been having a tremendous effect. The huge numbers of people "liking" the Facebook pages out there are sending a message. KEEP IT UP!! Continue to send e-mails and continue to call. WE CANNOT LET UP UNTIL WE HAVE A BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT CALLS FOR THE FULL FUNDING OF THE ECOLOGY SITE. 

We are in the process of getting permits for a rally to support the site on September 30th. We will be putting the specifics up on our website and facebook page very shortly. We need all the support we can in order to save the ecology site and a huge turnout will send a tremendous message. SAVE THE DATE!! 

At our rally and at town board meetings, to show solidarity for our cause, we ask that everyone wear blue so we know who each other are!!!!! If you don't have a blue shirt, we have shirts that we are selling to help raise money to take care of the animals. We do fundraising year-round to raise money to provide the feed and veterinary care for all the animals at the site. Everything we raise goes back into the fund for animal care to help keep the cost to taxpayers down. 

The Holtsville Ecology Site means so much to so many people. We know it. Let's make sure town hall knows it. The way in which the community is rallying together to make a real difference is awe inspiring. Your support is our motivation. Everyone involved has something to really be proud of. On behalf of our board, our volunteers, the workers and the animals - THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING!!!!!"