Business & Tech
Long Island Contractors Fly '#Ready2GoSafely' Banner Across Sky
Gov. Andrew Cuomo was named on the banner organized by Long Island construction industry leaders, as contractors are eager to resume work.
HAUPPAUGE, NY — Long Island construction contractors are eager to get back to work. In a bid to catch the attention of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a banner reading, "Gv. Cuomo LI. Construction #Ready2GoSafely" was flown across the island's skies on Sunday.
Greg Sforza, president of Done Right Remodeling, a contractor at 275 Marcus Blvd., Hauppauge, organized the flyover with dozens of fellow industry leaders, a spokeswoman told Patch. The flight ran from noon to 2 p.m. over the Long Island Expressway and along the south shore from Jones Beach to the Shirley/Mastic area.
Residents were encouraged to show their support by capturing photos and video of the banner and sharing it to social media with the #Ready2GoSafely hashtag. The event was posted on The United Construction Industry of America - UCIAM Facebook page.
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The flyover was a "tremendous success," according to a Facebook post by the group.
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"Amazing day," UCIAM wrote. "The the people on the beach were amazing. Some people gave interviews. We could not have asked for more. Tremendous success today for our industry."
The banner caught the attention of the New York City/Long Island Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, with the organization displeased that Cuomo was named. While the idea behind it was good, honing in on the governor could hurt contractors, Ben Jackson, secretary of the executive board of NARI and government affairs chairman, wrote in a letter to Sforza.
"...Your actions of flying a banner across Long Island naming Governor Cuomo is not an action that NARI NY supports," Jackson said. "The idea of getting back to work safely is a good one and we all desire to do so. However, at NARI we make every effort to work with our elected and appointed officials in a constructive, positive manner to promote and improve our industry. We are concerned that what you have done has hurt our industry. NARI supports any safe and well thought out suggestions on returning to work and as soon as possible."
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