Assemblymen Tom Alfano and Tom McKevitt are demanding that an environmental study conducted by the MTA regarding the future of the third track project be shared with all local elected officials. Instead, the study was passed on to the federal government and local residents can only guess as to what it contains, the assemblymembers said. Alfano characterized this turn of events "disgraceful" and an affront to the community at large.

The third track project impacts the Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Bellerose Village, Stewart Manor and Mineola communities.

"The MTA thinks the community is asleep at the switch. They couldn't be more wrong. What's the MTA afraid of today? Show us the study and let the people know. If the MTA thinks we're going to sit quietly on this, they're wrong again," Assemblyman Alfano said, adding, "The actions of the MTA are offensive and a direct attack on the community."

"This is just another example of the typical, insider politics that goes on at the MTA," Assemblyman McKevitt added. "It is my job to look out for the well-being of my constituents and all those on Long Island and we deserve to know what that study has found. For the MTA to give this document to the Federal Government and not to the local officials for those residents who will be directly affected by this proposed project is outrageous. This is ridiculous, but not unexpected from the MTA."

Alfano and McKevitt's criticism comes just weeks after previous problems with the MTA, and their policies and procedures. Recently, they planned to raise the tolls for commuters on Long Island and radioactive shipments were traveling through Nassau County without prior notification to the local communities.

"If the MTA thinks this is the way to treat the Floral Park, Bellerose Village, Stewart Manor, Bellerose Terrace and New Hyde Park communities in my Assembly district, then they have another thing coming. This is an attempt to pull the wool over the people's eyes. It won't work. If the MTA didn't hear us the first time, they'll hear us now," Assemblyman Alfano said.