On June 14, I was in Albany for the legislative session in the Assembly. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the MTA meeting regarding the third track expansion project. However, I wanted to make my voice as clear as possible on this important community issue.

Simply stated, I am against the proposal.

The increased volume of trains, the impact on quality of life and the drastic changes it would make in our community's quality of life makes this plan dead on arrival. Quite frankly, I am very taken aback by the MTA's plan and its total disregard for the Bellerose Village, Floral Park and Bellerose Terrace communities in the 21st Assembly District. Their plan is an insult to the people of those communities.

Let's face facts. If you look at the current facilities maintained by the MTA/LIRR, you know that "plans" just never get done to the satisfaction of the community. As far as I'm concerned, they've continually broken the trust in our communities as a whole.

This so-called "plan" will impact our neighborhoods as well. I, for one, will not sit idly by and allow the MTA/LIRR to take property, impact schools and business districts, create other noise pollution and home damage and promote noise vibrations for the sake of a third track.

I will stand with our elected boards in Floral Park and Bellerose Village in fighting this MTA/LIRR plan. This quality of life issue is critical to the citizens of our communities and their voices will be heard.

As assemblyman of the 21st District, I will not support such a plan and will assist any and all groups fighting this ill-conceived third track scheme.

Assemblyman Tom Alfano