Crosson's Bid for Power is Harming
Long Island

Long Island Business News
By: Richard Lippe
July 27, 2001

The controversial technology initiatives undertaken by Matthew Crosson, president of the Long Island Association, in the name of the LIA raise the following questions:

Is it in Long Island's best interests to have the LIA seek to replace the Long Island Forum for Technology, or LIFT, in the operation of an engineering and business consulting organization that has received nationwide recognition for its excellence and has serviced more than 500 satisfied Long Island companies with a $43 million positive impact in the past 15 months?

Is it in Long Island's best interests for the LIA to seek the "takeover" of the Long Island Software and Technology Network, or LISTnet, so that it can coordinate and direct technology activities on Long Island when LISTnet was formed for that purpose and has been highly successful in its efforts?

Is it in Long Island's best interests for the LIA to direct and control the Millennium Center project when it lacks the experience, background and scientific expertise to do so?

Is it in Long Island's best interests to have the LIA develop commercial ventures, particularly those that compete with its own members?

The answer to each of these questions is an emphatic NO! Crosson's vision of monolithic control through the attempted "takeover" of LIFT, LISTnet and the Millennium Center project could result in the bankruptcy of LIFT, the elimination of LISTnet and intense conflict among the participants in the Millennium project with the probable loss of further state funding.

The change in the LIA's mission to include the operation of commercial ventures in competition with members and non-members will result in potentially serious financial harm to them. Who will be the next industry victims? Will the LIA now form a marketing research venture, a sales and marketing company, an advertising agency, a business intermediary for the provision of legal or accounting services? There are no rational limits or boundaries!

Crosson is aggressively seeking political support among New York State legislators and other political figures to take away LIFT's funding. By politicizing this issue, he has created a divided Long Island. He has also compromised the unity that is essential to Long Island's future.

Ironically, Crosson is misinformed in believing that political "muscle" will enable the LIA to bankrupt LIFT and take over its funding. The funding entity, NYSTAR, is a state agency which, through

Gov. Pataki's leadership, has been established to operate on a non-political basis. NYSTAR's Advisory Council, which approves all substantial awards made by NYSTAR, includes respected non-political leaders from industry and the academic world.

Furthermore, under the leadership of the governor and Russell W. Bessette, executive director of NYSTAR, a contract has been developed between NYSTAR and the New York Academy of Sciences to assure that all awards are made on a non-political basis by having world-class scientists conduct a detailed written review, evaluation and ranking of all proposals. By establishing this structure, the governor has assured that all technology funding grants made by NYSTAR will be insulated from politics. In doing so, he has created a program that is unique among the 50 states.

With Crosson's guidance, the LIA has put itself in the embarrassing position of being the only NYSTAR grant applicant who has sought to influence NYSTAR through political pressure. The damage to Crosson's leadership and the credibility and reputation of the LIA is incalculable.

One logical explanation for Crosson's actions is the LIA's serious need for additional funding. Accordingly, the LIA should open its "books" to the public. A financial restructuring of the LIA could eliminate its need to undertake the questionable initiatives. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these issues with Crosson in a public forum.

Richard Lippe is a senior partner in the law firm of Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Schlissel and a member of the NYSTAR Advisory Council.