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Politics & Government

Jack Levin Honored

Long-time Southold businessman Jack Levin was honored by Suffolk County and Southold Town for his preservation work and generosity.

Jack Levin was honored by Supervisor Scott Russell and Suffolk County Legislator Ed Romaine's office for his preservation efforts in a ceremony on Saturday morning.

In 2001, Southold Town, with the help of Suffolk County, purchased a 51-acre property from Levin that consisted of woodlands, freshwater wetlands and open fields. This land, now called Arshamomaque Preserve, is open year round and consists of 1.3 miles of nature trails. Russell described it as the "crown jewel" of the town's preserves.

Levin, a centenarian, is a businessman who has built, owned and operated several successful businesses within the town. He started out in Southold by operating Jack's Shack, the Greenporter, the Sunset Motel, and later built and ran Soundview Inn and Soundview Restaurant, which his family still runs today.

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Russell said the preserve was a result of Levin's environmental consciousness and now visitors can enjoy this land forever. To honor him Southold has placed a plaque on a boulder in the front of the preserve thanking him and describing Levin's commitment to the town.

"I offer my sincere praise to his dedication to the community and the environment," Russell said.

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Levin was surrounded by his family and was beaming during the ceremony.

"I used to enjoy walking with my children through here and looking at all the beautiful trees and plants," he said.

The Suffolk County Legislature thanked Levin and proclaimed Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011 to be Jack Levin Day in Suffolk County.

"Southold Town's been good to me," Levin said.

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