The initiatives taken in supporting local small businesses should extend beyond temporary fiscal relief or merely that of asking residents to shop locally. An ever-evolving relationship between government, local business, and community should be a long-term commitment and function of government.
Town of Babylon Supervisor
Richard Schaffer
200 E. Sunrise Hwy.
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
CC: Members of the Babylon Town Council
Supervisor Richard Schaffer and Members of Babylon Town Council,
I hope this message finds you and your families doing well. Thank you for your continued service and support for the residents of the Town of Babylon during these unprecedented times.
As our community begins the reopening process, much focus has been given to supporting local businesses. As a resident member of the West Babylon Chamber of Commerce, I could not agree more that local business is an essential part of the lifeblood of our community.
One of the most common questions on social media community pages is that of residents asking for business recommendations. However, many times recommendations given are not local businesses and, in some cases, those which are not properly licensed and insured. Such responses can put residents at risk and negatively impact local business revenue. These occurrences obstruct the ongoing mission of support the Chambers of Commerce and government are attempting to provide.
Yet, we may be able to help alleviate this situation by making it easier for residents to connect with local businesses. By offering an online town government-supported business directory, residents would be directed to companies that are appropriately licensed and insured. This directory, much like the Suffolk County Division of Consumer Affairs county-wide license database, would also ensure that businesses are receiving a return on investment for their licensing expenses, fees, and insurance costs. In coordination with Chambers of Commerce, we could help bring residents and local town businesses closer together.
The initiatives taken in supporting local small businesses should extend beyond temporary fiscal relief or merely that of asking residents to shop locally. An ever-evolving relationship between government, local business, and community should be a long-term commitment and function of government.
Thank you for your consideration,
Christopher Paolillo
Christopher Paolillo 