Stop Island Hills &
The Greater Islip Association
Stop Island Hills
Our Mission
We are the residents of Sayville and the surrounding communities that oppose the zone change at the old Island Hills golf course. We are over 3,000 strong with our facebook group having over 2,300 members.
Our main goal is to keep the property zoned for single family homes and to maintain the oasis of green space at Island Hills.
Who can join our movement?
Anyone can join the Stop Island Hills Group! We encourage everyone to be a part of this community group.
The Facebook Group just requires answering a few questions making sure you are against the zone change.
The Greater Islip Association is a membership based group requiring a donation to join, for more information please contact us!
The Greater Islip Association Inc.
Our group has created its own nonprofit (501c4) organization in order to stop this development. All funds, official events, and professional assistance goes through the organization. The GIA also runs all social media pages and this website.
The Board
Milynn Augulis: President
Susan Mantovani: Director
Brian Link: Director
John Tafe: Director
Secretaries: Patty Johnson & Tom Johnson
Members: Kathleen Cutrone, Patricia Carroll, Anthony Piccirillo, Eileen Tyznar, John Verdone, Patrick Fife, Christine Sarni, Jenny Keddy, Kevin Shapiro, Patty Manfredonia, Christine Tedesco, Jaime Ann, Susan Hughes, Linda Karszen, Donna Brown, Ken Boyle, Julia Urraro, Rick Kaiser, Dawne Meyer, Kathryn Ahern, Courtney Marie, Mary Gledhill, Shawn Gallagher, Lu-Ann Passadino, Ben Jamins, Michele Cannarella, Bar Bara, Thomas Murray
What’s the Difference Between the Greater Islip Association and Stop Island Hills?
Stop Island Hills and the Greater Islip Association (GIA) share a common goal of opposing reckless overdevelopment—particularly the Island Hills project—they are distinct entities with different structures and roles in the community.
Stop Island Hills Group
- Origin: Initially formed as a grassroots movement to oppose the Island Hills development when it was first proposed by Rechler Equity Partners in 2017.
- Structure: Informal group made up of concerned residents, largely organizing via social media (e.g., Facebook group) and community meetings.
- Mission: Focused specifically on preventing the Island Hills project from being approved in its current form and ensuring the community’s voice is heard.
- Activities: Protest organizing, social media advocacy, information sharing, and rallying public opposition against the development.
Greater Islip Association (GIA)
- Origin: Established as an official 501(c)(4) nonprofit civic group to create a more structured and legally recognized advocacy organization.
- Structure: A formalized group with leadership roles, bylaws, and the ability to raise funds, publish official statements, and conduct research.
- Mission: While it continues to fight against the Island Hills development, the GIA also addresses broader issues, such as zoning concerns, transparency in government, and responsible land use across the Town of Islip.
- Activities: Engaging with officials, submitting FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) requests, publishing research-based reports, attending town meetings, and working on long-term planning efforts beyond just Island Hills. Runs emails, social media and webpage.
Key Differences
| Feature | Stop Island Hills | Greater Islip Association (GIA) |
| Focus | Island Hills project only | Broader zoning & land use advocacy |
| Legal Status | Informal grassroots movement | Official 501(c)(4) nonprofit |
| Primary Activities | Social media advocacy, protests, public awareness | Legal action, policy research, government engagement |
| Fundraising & Operations | Volunteer-driven, no formal structure | Can raise funds and publish official statements |
| Future Goals | Prevent high-density Island Hills development | Advocate for long-term responsible planning in Islip |
How They Work Together
- The Stop Island Hills group serves as a public-facing movement to inform, rally, and engage the community.
- The GIA acts as the official body, handling the more formal and legal aspects of the fight, while also tackling other land use issues in the Town of Islip.
While both groups work toward the same goal of protecting the community, the GIA ensures that efforts are strategic, legally sound, and sustainable for the long run.