Challenging economy underscores genuine leadership.

Tough times mean smart business leaders shine and that is why Long Island’s real estate industry honored some of its best and brightest during the annual gala dinner of the Association for a Better Long Island (ABLI) and the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island (CIBS) held this year to celebrate a year of innovation, vision and underlying business strength.

Some 400 leaders from the commercial real estate and the brokerage community arrived in black tie or formal gowns to attend the annual dinner where awards were handed leaders in the brokerage and development community for their respective “deals of the year.” Ed Blumenfeld of Blumenfeld Development Group secured honors for his company’s extraordinary work in bringing the Arches Outlet Center in Deer Park from concept to grand opening.  Ted Stratigos of Cushman Wakefield received an award as broker of the year in recognition of his successful role to relocate the world headquarters of Leviton Manufacturing at 201 N. Service Road, Melville.  This year the industry’s Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Fred Colin, of Colin Management Company, for a career marked by an extraordinary work ethic coupled with a unique sense of where the next areas of market growth will occur. Rechler noted, "Always a gentleman, and always in front of the market, Fred continues his role as an extraordinary industry leader and we can’t think of a more deserving award."

Ed Blumenfeld, a former ABLI President and founding member of the group, thanked his colleagues but reminded them that the forces of NIMBY remain poised to throttle new growth and new economic initiatives. He warned that a recessionary economy has not slowed down those who believe the most successful development is none at all and where the words “smart growth” have been abducted by those who seek to pursue their own for profit agenda.

The ABLI took the opportunity to reaffirm its core principles including a warning that the confiscatory property tax structure is creating a serious and sustained distortion in the Long Island economic fabric. The group believes that Nassau County’s deeply flawed assessment structure is putting the stability of county finances at risk and that systematic reform is necessary to protect the taxpayer and landowner.

In addition, in the new year the ABLI will confront the out-of-control “tax and condemn” government policies that see private real estate acquired through public condemnation, hobbling the long term viability of the economy while placing enormous burdens on the property taxpayer throughout Long Island.

NIMBY remains among the biggest threats facing Long Island’s future. It seeks to block progressive smart growth, cripples our ability to be competitive in a global market, harms transportation initiatives and destroys the potential for new jobs and investment. The ABLI stands fast against the regressive, insular nature of NIMBY and confront the parochial policies of those who would harm our region’s future.

Finally, the region, the state and the nation are faced with historic economic challenges. The ABLI will insist on political leadership that not only knows how to lead but understands the complexities of the economic marketplace and how best to aid, strengthen and expand Long Island’s business base.