In a first for Floral Park, and an opportunity to send a message to the Long Island Rail Road, Assemblyman Tom Alfano announced that the first hearing of the NYS Assembly Third Track Advisory Committee is taking place in Floral Park at John Lewis Childs Elementary School auditorium on April 17 at 7:30 p.m.

The hearing's focus is to hear from the community and "send a message to the LIRR on the folly of their third track plan."

Third Track Advisory Hearing in Floral Park April 17

"For far too long, the villages have been victims of this process. Now we have secret plans from the LIRR to the federal government that leave all of us in the dark. It's outrageous and unacceptable. Now is the time for all of us to stand up and be heard. Now is the time to send a message to the LIRR. Now is the time to join together and protect our future. From Mayor Guarnieri, to the children in elementary school, we will stand together in this fight," Assemblyman Tom Alfano said.

The location of the hearing was chosen by Assemblyman Alfano and Vice-Chairman Timothy Dalton due to the impact that the proposed third track project will have on the school and its community. Superintendent Dr. Lynn Pombonyo and the Board of Education will host the task force in the John Lewis Childs Elementary School auditorium.

"The hearing that night lets the people speak. Only local residents will be heard. No rhetoric and no grandstanding. It's for the people. For far too long, the people have wanted to have their say. Our first step is to do just that. The people will speak that night and we're not only going to be there to listen, but we want to take that message back to the MTA and LIRR," Assemblyman Alfano said, adding, "I want to thank the Floral Park Bellerose School district for their hospitality of this important effort for the Village of Floral Park."

Assemblyman Alfano and Vice-Chairman Dalton are encouraging community members to mark their calendars and attend the meeting on April 17. If you'd like to speak out that night you can reserve your time by calling Assemblyman Alfano's office at 437-5577 or emailing him at alfanot@assembly.state.ny.us. "This is your time to make your voice heard," Vice-Chairman Dalton said.

This past Friday, Assemblyman Alfano held a "Town Hall style" discussion with students at John Lewis Childs School. Among many other issues, sixth-graders discussed the third track plan and their concerns with the assemblyman. It was at that meeting when Assemblyman Alfano announced to students that the hearing would be taking place at their school. During the meeting students pointed right out the auditorium doors how close the rail would be to their school.

"This issue is important to everyone. From the sixth-grader to the senior citizen, I'm proud the community is this united," Alfano remarked. At the school, joining Assemblyman Alfano during his tour and talk, were Board of Education Trustees Bob Burke, Dave Fowler and Laura Ferrone and Superintendent Dr. Pombonyo.

Assemblymembers Tom Alfano, Tom McKevitt and Rob Walker created the Assembly Advisory Committee to focus community discussion and efforts at fighting the project. Assemblymen Alfano and McKevitt are particularly concerned over the secrecy that LIRR has shrouded the project in and a recent study given to the federal government that is unavailable to local officials.

Assemblyman Alfano's Floral Park appointee to the committee is Vice-Chairman Dalton. Dalton serves on the committee with Jack Martins of Mineola, Dan Petruccio of New Hyde Park and Bill Wise of Westbury.

"This is the first hearing on the third track where the people will get to have their say. Our purpose that night is to listen to you and take that message back to the LIRR," Vice-Chair Dalton said.

Alfano also applauded the recent efforts of members of Citizens Against Rail Expansion (CARE), the committee delivered over 10,000 signatures to the offices of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy.

"This is an outstanding way to make our voices heard in this process. Mayor Phil Guarnieri and CARE are to be commended for their hard work and effort in the fight against the third track. I look forward to them working with the Third Track Advisory Committee in the weeks and months ahead," Assemblyman Alfano added.