S.C. Leg. Steve Stern (D-Huntington) 16th LD, Chairman of the Veterans and Seniors Committee,recently appeared on Cablevision's Meet the Leaders program hosted by former Suffolk County Executive Patrick Halpin. Leg. Stern discussed issues facing our veterans and seniors in Suffolk County.

Leg. Stern spoke about the new East End Veterans Clinic to be built at the County Center in Riverhead. The center will provide a more convenient location for veterans who reside in eastern Suffolk County to access needed medical care and services without having to travel to the Northport VA. Leg. Stern said he will also be introducing legislation to set aside parking for veterans utilizing the clinic.

With the winter months almost upon us, Leg. Stern has co-sponsored MIHEAP (Middle Income Energy Assistance Program) legislation that will provide relief to middle income homeowners facing high heating costs this coming winter.

Additionally, Leg. Stern co-sponsored legislation that passed unanimously that will allow for deployed military servicepersons and their families to regain their homes from Suffolk County if lost to tax default. He is also a cosponsor of a bill to expand real property tax exemptions for spouses and un-remarried surviving spouses.

Leg. Stern discussed the needs of Long Island's growing aging population. We must plan accordingly to meet the challenges that seniors and their families face today, as well as recognizing the need to plan for the coming age wave in the future. Some of the issues facing older adults in Suffolk County are affordable housing, more accessible transportation and an increased need for longterm care services.

Leg. Stern discussed (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities - NORC) in Huntington. New York State defines NORC as an area where more than 40 percent of the residents are over the age of 60. He explained that seniors do not want to be placed in nursing homes and would prefer to stay in their homes and receive homecare services. Leg. Stern spoke about a program called Hands on Huntington which is funded from the state and the Town of Huntington and provides resources and services to seniors. The services are provided at no cost to the seniors. "These programs allow seniors to stay in the homes they love and in the communities they helped build and retain their independence while ensuring their needs are met," Leg. Stern said. For more info., contact Legislator Stern's office at 631-854-5100.