To The Editor:

A few weeks ago, our mayor said that there was plenty of space for our residents and their organizations in our village, most of it at no cost. A list of that available space could be obtained from Village Hall. My impression of that list is that it is being used to mislead our residents into thinking that we do not need a community/senior center in this village. Every site on that list is in daily use by its normal occupants. Our residents get only what is left over. We have to accept the facility as we find it, (IE: school rooms full of desks, court rooms full of unmovable benches) many, many, qualifications apply before usage is allowed and what is NOT mentioned is impressive!! The school system, for instance, is obviously not available when the children are there, a written application for a use permit must be submitted and approved by the school administration, every member of your requesting organization must reside in the village, if food and drink are used, fees up to $184 per hour will apply and you are required to submit proof that you hold a one million dollar liability insurance policy. adelphi university is on the mayor's list with room capacities of between 30 and 800 (all at unspecified fees). What the mayor doesn't tell you is that available parking is at the Garden City Pool where you compete for space on small buses also used to transport the students to and from the campus. We are offered the casino (at a large fee). Unmentioned is the fact that the property is under a long term lease to a private corporation, a large organization already leases space there and you must use the casino's caterer for even a small cup of coffee. cluett hall is listed (at a fee). Our Recreation Dept. only recently stated that it is fully booked. The mayor's list, (I'm sure this is in desperation) also mentions the long abandoned village water works. Using the rear entrance to this very dingy area forces you to use a narrow driveway used by village trucks going to and from a large garage where most parking spaces are occupied by employee vehicles. The front entrance opens on to a cracked and broken, rough surfaced, narrow, unlit walkway, leading to a street without a curb or sidewalk and only one small distant street lamp. Finally, last, but not the end of this foolishness, they refer to the new, tiny senior center in one of the St Paul's cottages. The mayor's list shows a capacity of 75. The fire marshal limits that occupancy to 37. The Recreation Dept. has publically stated that they will not allow large groups to dominate the facility. Don't these people talk to each other ???

Mr. Mayor, we need a large, year round, staffed, Community Center, with guaranteed availability for your taxpayers, a well lighted entrance and nearby safe parking. The first floor of the main building at St Paul's is available if you choose to make it so!!!

Alfred Urban, Jr.