Boldness has a way of attracting friends, building alliances and inciting action. In our momentous struggle against the third track we understood, from the very outset, that the direction in which we were heading was as important as where we stood. That course could not be one of isolation, detachment or insulation; our purpose called upon us to unite our aspirations with the interests of others who were also perilously situated. As part of a concordant of common interests, joining a league of parallel if not identical goals and fighting as a united front with other communities harbored the best hope for a successful outcome.

While there had been a loose alliance among our sister villages the gossamer web entangling us, delicate and tenuous, had to find an instrument to forge itself into steel cables. The alchemy used to transmute the threads that tied us into something stronger (a mixture consisting of a teaspoon of political science and a lot of sweat) has yielded us a little gold to the tune of $25,000 and possibly a coin or two more in our battle against the MTA.

As a result of recent efforts undertaken by Floral Park, a not-for- profit corporation has been established under the name "Citizens Against Rail Expansion, Inc." The directors and officers of this new corporation, who will serve without compensation, are comprised of elected officials and civic leaders from the areas that potentially could be affected by the MTA/LIRR's proposed "Third Track Expansion" project. In addition to myself thus far the mayors of Bellerose, Mineola and Westbury have agreed to serve as directors. Representatives from the villages of Garden City and New Hyde Park have pledged to join the board in the near future.

The primary purpose of this new not-for- profit organization is to evaluate the various potential impacts of the MTA/LIRR Third Track Expansion Project, including such issues as vibrations, noise, air pollution and traffic etc. to ensure that aspects of the project comply with environmental regulations, and to keep residents informed about the process.

It has become clear that there is a need to examine the proposed "third track" in the context of the MTA/LIRR much broader plan to develop its infrastructure. The proposed track-rail (freight) intermodel facility in Suffolk County, the addition of a track from Hicksville to Ronkonkoma, and the development of the east-side access facility to Manhattan all point to a single development plan of which the "third track" project is but a part. The need to analyze the overall impacts of this regional plan is essential.

As a not-for-profit corporation, Citizens Against Rail Expansion Inc., not only has the legal standing to pursue those goals, not only cements our connection with other communities, but is eligible to receive funding in the form of governmental grants. That little pot of gold in the amount of $25,000 came through the efforts of Senator Kemp Hannon and has been secured for professional services to analyze the "Third Track Expansion" Project. Efforts are under way to secure additional funding.

I firmly believe this not-for-profit corporation will be an excellent vehicle through which the various municipalities will cooperate effectively in evaluating and eliminating all potentially negative impacts arising from the MTA/LIRR "Third Track Expansion" Project.

This official act of solidarity is an important achievement but we are determined it will not lead to over confidence or self-satisfaction which can draw a veil over one's eyes. We've had successes for sure, but not yet victory - or at least the victory we are aspiring for. Let us keep step and march onward.

A community that wants a good image of itself cannot neglect its public buildings. As a result, the sight of scaffolding will soon be seen around the perimeter of village hall as we replace the original roof, which is more than 70 years old.

After having the roof on his house replaced, a friend of mine lamented that it was the most necessary but least noticed home improvement. True enough but leaking roofs will wreak havoc on any structure and must be addressed promptly. Originally designed to replace in-like-slate materials, those bids proved too costly and the number of mechanics capable for this type of restoration limited the number of roofing companies bidding the work.

For these reasons we endeavored to find a product that would aesthetically respond to the grandeur of the architecture while providing the long-term durability we needed.

After a lengthy discussion, we decided on a recycled roofing product. This garnered not only more bids but its cost of $140,000 is nearly two-thirds less than the cost of real slate. These roofing shingles have been used throughout the East Coast as well as Long Island and are made from recovered and recycled slate, plastic and rubber.

The contractor, Tropic Construction, has done work for the Sewanhaka School District and has provided the required insurance as well as participating in extensive meetings with our building and public works department. In the coming weeks the workers will be removing the old roof, installing new flashing and roofing leaving the area watertight at the end of each day. Before the summer is out the building's roof should be completed and the restorative process, which began several years before with lintel and parapet replacement, will be brought to a happy conclusion.

At the Floral Park Memorial Senior Awards Ceremony it is my privilege to present the Mayor's Citizen Award. This honor belongs to that student who has won distinction in both the field of academics and community service. This year we had two deserving recipients in Julie Mastrella and Clifton DeMeco.

These two seniors not only achieved academically but also placed themselves in the service of their community and a host of good causes. Their example is to be emulated and serves as an important lesson to their peers. The truth is that life is not so much about finding oneself as creating oneself. Character is not discovered in solitude; it is found by uniting ourselves with those beliefs, truths and causes that serve God and humanity. Thoughts of serving others are the nesting ground of the soul where hope grows wings and good works take flight.

Congratulations to both Julie and Clifton on a job well done!