More than 50 influential business leaders attended Senator Carl Marcellino's Senate Club meeting, held at the law offices of Ruskin Moscou Faltischek late last month, to discuss pressing issues affecting the security of the geographic borders of Long Island.

Guest speaker Senator Michael Balboni, recently appointed to the Senate's newly formed Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, spoke about New York State's goals to communicate appropriate, realistic measures that residents should take to better ensure their own security. He also addressed the critical need to foster greater cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

To illustrate the latter point, Balboni noted that the federal government has 700 officers assigned to work on Homeland Security in New York State. State and local law enforcement officers number 70,000. With enhanced coordination, according to Balboni, detection and enforcement efforts will become a more dynamic and effective tool in the fight against terrorist activities.

Marcellino sees his meetings as a critical link to the Long Island business community. He asserted the need for bipartisan support for homeland security and expressed the desire to see a counterpart to the Senate's Homeland Committee, established in the State Assembly.

Mel Ruskin, chair of the Senate Club and founding partner of Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, moderated the meeting. "If we prepare our homes and businesses now to respond to terrorist threats involving weapons of mass destruction, we will have a greater sense of calm and confidence and will not panic if the unthinkable ever occurs."