Letters To The Editor

Better Locations

To the Editor:

Ignoring the misquote, the main issue addressed in Mrs. Dolan's letter in last week's issue is indeed a fair one. Although far be it from me or our group to profess the environmental, geographical or other various expertise required to decide such an issue, I believe areas appropriately and legally zoned for such commercial/medical activity would be a good start for the PROPER location for an Assisted Care facility in the Village. One could envision the site of the former Newsday building at the easterly Village boundary on Stewart Avenue (as was suggested by Mr. Reid's letter last week) or various sites on Franklin Avenue and Old Country Road. In addition, some have suggested the Village owned land at the southerly end of Cherry Valley Avenue as an appropriate venue.

What we would never support is the development of such a business in ANY Village neighborhood or geographic area zoned for residential use. In fact, if any other neighborhood in Garden City was the subject of proposed commercial/medical development in "their backyard" our group would be as vociferous in it opposition as it is today. The opinion that the Village Broad of Trustees should support the Cathedral's application for a radical change in our zoning laws "because sometimes change is difficult" is absurd. Changing property usage that drastically harms our Village's quality of life should always fail, no matter who is the promoter. Furthermore, comparing the Cathedral's proposal to the current revisionist thinking on the Wyndham development, as some have suggested, is also misguided. There is absolutely no similarity between condominium development and that of a commercial/medical complex. Hopefully, Sunrise won't next propose building in Mrs. Dolan's neighborhood but if it does, be assured, our group will be will be there, you can count on that.

Edward T. Finneran

False Rumor To the Editor: It has come to my attention that a [rumor has been spread by a member of the clergy] that I intend to approach legislators and ask that the property "tax exemption for the clergy be taken away and given to Auxiliary Police" volunteers.

This Rumor Is Absolutely False!

While I have proposed that Auxiliary Police volunteers receive the same property tax exemption as volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, at no time have I ever proposed or considered proposing the elimination of the property tax exemption for clergy members.

The Reverend's communication is calling on all members of the Clergy to "organize and call (me) to demand that (I) do not take this exemption away" in an attempt to "influence the voting of congregation members."

These clearly calculated statements are not only irresponsible; they raise serious concerns as to the hidden agendas of those who have started this lie.

As the chief administrator of all of Nassau County's property tax exemptions that have saved tens of thousands of homeowners millions of dollars off their property taxes each year, I want to assure you that I will continue to work each day to fight for additional property tax savings initiatives that will help reduce a family's overall tax bill.

Harvey B. Levinson

Chairman,

Board of Assessors

"A Rare Find - Not To Be Missed!"

To the Editor:

On my way to the Estates Property Owners Association meeting last Wednesday evening at the Stratford School I was pleasantly surprised to find - "Tom Wagner and the rest of the Big Band" playing music in the auditorium. I stayed for a while and listened before moving on to the Estates meeting and let me tell you the music was great! I thought as I left the auditorium after noticing that no Garden City residents, including any of our Garden City students were in attendance that I needed to publish this letter in the hopes of informing more of us as detailed by Tom the group plays "every Wednesday from 7:30 to about 9:15" at Stratford".

Tom tells me the group has been going for 27 years in G.C. Adult Program. He also informed me that he taught at Stewart and Stratford for 30 years, Queens College 4 years, and supervised student teachers at Hofstra for 16 years and also 1982 he was N.Y. State Teacher of the Year.

I hope you will join me and my family - who plan to attend and listen to Tom and the rest of the Big Band. I think it will help one of my children who plays the Saxophone to inspire/improve herself through the benefit of this fine group and their wonderful music. With this groups experience it would also be wonderful to see our music students from our schools in attendance who could also benefit from the experience.

James Bressingham

Time To Decide

To the Editor,

I have been following the letters to the editor for the past few weeks and I've got one thought. Let's just make a decision. We've been haggling over decisions for years now. Let's just make one and get on with the next item on the agenda.

JoAnn Wildermuth