MANGANO, RED CROSS AND FREEPORT BUSINESSES DISCUSS SUCCESSFUL POST-SANDY SUMMER ON THE NAUTICAL MILE

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano was joined by local Village officials, business owners and John Miller, CEO of the Red Cross Long Island at a press conference earlier today to discuss a successful Post-Sandy summer on the Nautical Mile. The world-famous Nautical Mile is one of the most popular tourism destinations on the east coast.Most shops, bars and restaurants located on the Mile, as well as the Village’s piers, esplanade and parks, were several feet under water and required major reconstruction. Guy Lombardo Boulevard and Woodcleft Avenue (the Nautical Mile) receive hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer from around the world.

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, businesses along the mile had a monumental task at hand but they joined together and with dedication and sacrifice, they came back stronger than ever,” said County Executive Mangano. “My administration helped provide financial assistance to 21 Freeport businesses that were affected by Hurricane Sandy generating $9 million in economic benefit for the local economy. I thank the Freeport business community for their commitment and perseverance. I am particularly pleased to announce that many of the restaurants and other seasonal venues on the Nautical Mile that typically close down after the summer will continue to remain open, extending the season with expanded hours of dining and entertainment. I encourage our residents to continue to support businesses on the Nautical Mile, not just during the summer but all year round.”

Pictured with County Executive Mangano are: Assistant Chief of the Freeport Fire Department Kenneth VanCott; John Miller, Long Island CEO of the Red Cross; Butch Yamali, Owner of Hudson’s on the Mile; Charlie Hirschbirg, Presidents of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce; Irwin Krasnow, Landlord of the Tides and Cleary’s by the Water; Ilona Jagnow, Owner of Ottos, The Shops at Crows Nest and Crows Nest Mini Golf; Rick Cohen, Owner of Freeport Water Taxi and Tours; Joe Hughes, Owner of Bamboo Bar and Grill; Brian Kaitlyn Cluckies of Buried Treasure; Carolyn Rubano of Wildfish; Andy Drosinos of the Crab Shack; and Seth Rose of Wet Waterfront Dining Lounge.