On the heels of a recent news account concerning potentially deadly pieces of steel sailing from an area train track onto a local schoolyard, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and other officials unveiled more evidence of "train dangers" for trackside neighbors. Joining Murray at last week's press conference, where she unveiled three more heavy steel train track "clamps" that have fallen from Floral Park train tracks, were Floral Park-Bellerose Superintendent of Schools Lynn Pombanyo, Floral Park Mayor Phil Guarnieri and Trustee Tom Tweedy, Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin, Town Clerk Mark Bonilla and Bellerose Village Mayor Donna Sherrer. The officials stated that the dangerous falling debris in public areas underscored the need to "derail" the MTA's plan to add a third railroad track along the densely populated main line.

"Potentially deadly pieces of heavy steel have fallen from elevated tracks onto a school field where children play and public areas near the Floral Park train station," Supervisor Murray said. "Although the third track would not be constructed at the location where the schoolyard incident took place, expanded tracks would cut through nearby neighborhoods, bringing railroad tracks closer to where children play, a local community park, numerous public areas, walkways and roadways. Bringing a third track within feet of playing children, pedestrians and local homeowners in such a densely populated area is a prescription for disaster."

An original MTA proposal called for a third railroad track between Bellerose and Hicksville along the LIRR's Main Line. After much public uproar, the MTA has scaled back its plan, calling for the new track to Hicksville to commence just east of the Floral Park train station.

Floral Park Mayor Phil Guarnieri stated, "The MTA's third track plan would bring railroad tracks and associated dangers closer to homes, and recent incidents underscore that the plan is too dangerous."

Floral Park-Bellerose School District Superintendent Lynn Pombonyo has acknowledged the MTA's response to the debris that was found at Floral Park-Bellerose Elementary School, but expressed concern for the safety of local children, staff and parents at the playing fields. "Since the incident on September 27 when the piece of LIRR equipment landed on the Floral Park-Bellerose School field and two other iron pieces were also discovered on the same field, railroad officials have been diligent in visiting the site, inspecting the tracks and right of way and clearing loose material," Superintendent Pombanyo said. "Of utmost importance will continue to be the safety of the 930 pre-kindergarten to grade 6 students who attend the school, the staff, families and the 500 children who use the field for weekend sports activities."

Murray stated that town officials would be writing to the governor, MTA Chief Elliot Sander and LIRR President Helena Williams to detail these new safety concerns during the public comment period on the third track (now through Dec. 31, 2007). "Neighbors in this area are living with train tracks that are already very close to their homes and playgrounds," the supervisor added. "If a third track is built in this area, residents will have to be issued hard hats to protect themselves from falling debris or take their lives in their hands."

She added, "I'm going to tell them about these incidents and let them know that the third track is just too dangerous to bring right through our yards and parks," she continued. "This is suburbia, not a war zone. Our children should not have to wear army helmets to protect themselves from railroad 'shrapnel.'"