The Long Island Index and the Rauch Foundation are sponsoring a competition to spur public awareness and debate about Long Island's future. "Build A Better Burb" asks entrants to envision how existing downtowns might be re-engineered to address perennial problems such as lack of affordable housing, traffic congestion and brain drain.

The 200 entries were narrowed down to 23 finalists, and now its the public's turn to vote for the proposal they like best, and the winner will receive the Long Island Index People's Choice Award. The jury will also award $22,500 in prizes.

Online voting ends August 31, and the winners will be announced on October 4. To learn more and to cast your vote, go to www.buildabetterburb.org .

The South Huntington Public Library is a longtime member of the Huntington Arts Council, a not-for-profit organization that promotes cultural arts in the Town of Huntington.