"Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization...In the interpretation of this obligation, Realtors can take no safer guide than that which has been handed down through the centuries, embodied in the Golden Rule, 'Whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them'." - Preamble of the Code of Ethics and standards of Practice of the national Association of Realtors, 2016. The Hellenic American Taxpayers Association (HATCAST) was created out of social responsibility and a patriotic duty to promote the interests of the American property owner. History is a living part of the present. The "Golden Age" of Hellenism on the East End of Long Island began with the creation of the first Greek Orthodox Church in Mattituck in 1969. The 1970's and 1980's saw the rise of HATCAST Supported by the Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox church of Mattituck. In 2016, we have three Greek Orthodox churches and a monastery on the East End. HATCAST President Andreas Markakis has kept the organization alive from the 1990's to 2016. The organization played a significant role in preventing the change in zoning of a parcel of land I owned on the North Road in Southold, aided by the Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, Congresswoman Patricia Acampora and Southold Business Alliance. We had the misfortune of being involved in a greater political land dispute. Three times the Southold Town Board tried to rezone our property. Each time these persons and organizations fought for our property rights. HATCAST played a role in aiding us. Catherine Tsounis is a real estate broker with Andrew Stype Real Estate in Mattituck, New York. She was born in Astoria, New York. She was educated at St. Demetrios Parochial School, and Bryant High School in Astoria, New York. She acquired a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queens College. She has a Master of Arts degree in Byzantine History from the Queens College Graduate School of CUNY. The author is a veteran teacher of the New York City School system, with an emphasis on Bilingual-Greek language studies. She was an adjunct instructor of the Modern Greek Language and Literature at St. John's University, Queens, New York from 1997-2010. Ms. Tsounis is a photo/journalist on the national and international scene from 1974, in the internet, magazine and newspaper mediums. She was inducted into "Who's Who Among America's Teachers," in 2002 and 2005. She was the first third generation Greek-American to be awarded the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation, USA scholarship in category B in 2002-2003 for advanced teacher training. In 2005, she was awarded the New York City Council Proclamation in commemoration of the 184th Anniversary of Greek Independence for her outstanding contribution to New York City and the Greek-American community and at the 19th Hermes International Expo at Atlantic City in 2010. A March 10th, 2015 Citation by New York City Councilman Paul Vallone of the 19th District was presented to the author for her landmark book "Through My Eyes: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox ChurchFlushing, New York, 1987-2014" Her books include: Through My Eyes: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox ChurchFlushing, New York, 1987-2014;Greek-American Experience; Greek-American Experience II; Greek-American Experience III; Greek American Experience IV; Greek-American Anthology 2005-06; 2005 Anthology of Greek-America; Greek-American Anthology 2005; Transfiguration of Christ Church Mattituck, 1978-2005 and Transfiguration of Christ Church, Mattituck, New York, 1969-2013.
