"This really embodies what the Summit was created for; positive energy all flowing in the same direction to stand up and help ourselves," said Annmarie LaRosa, vice-president of the West Islip Board of Education and a driving force behind the founding of the West Islip Summit Coalition.

 

The idea to paint the bath house was formulated from the Summit Coalition\'s Quality of Life Committee. Bill Johnston, a member of the committee and chairman of KIC, teamed with Nancy Cochran, KIC\'s executive director, to gather volunteers for the endeavor.

 

"We were thrilled by the turnout," said Cochrane. "We had a good mix of high school students, community members and Good Samaritan [Hospital Medical Center] also sent some volunteers along with lunch and cookies."

 

She noted that prior to the two days of painting, Islip Town under the direction of Parks Commission Greg Dawson had the structure sand blasted. All paint for the project was also provided by the Town.

 

While the bath house now has a fresh coat of paint, this could ultimately be the first step to improving the overall condition of the West Islip Beach & Marina. Last month Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan teamed with Suffolk County Legislator Thomas Barraga (R-West Islip) to hold a town-hall style public hearing focused on the future of the beach.

 

At that meeting, most residents in attendance spoke in support of keeping the beach clean and properly maintained, and called for restoring the beach house. Most were against any significant commercial development such as opening a restaurant.

   

By Greg Sleter