The journalistic integrity of the New York Times was breached by an apparently inexperienced reporter, Charlie LeDuff, through his story in the Feb. 10 Metro Section of that newspaper. For the life of us we can't understand the motivation behind a story that was destructive and mean-spirited to one of the communities that The New York Times serves. Mr. LeDuff presented a flawed, jaded picture of the City of Glen Cove and its people.

One would expect that a journalist with a newspaper the caliber of The New York Times is charged with the responsibility of ensuring an accurate story. In the story on Glen Cove, the reporter failed to meet that editorial responsibility.

A story about Glen Cove that doesn't mention the creation of the downtown Business Improvement District which has worked tirelessly with the Chamber of Commerce to market the City of Glen Cove as a prime location for business opportunities is not a story about Glen Cove.

A story that ignores the birth of the "Little Italy of Long Island" along Cedar Swamp Road, a concept designed to promote the businesses in that area, is not a story about Glen Cove.

A story that unjustifiably stomps on a neighborhood and its residents without mentioning either the outreach efforts by different organizations in Glen Cove or the aggressive plan put forth by the city to address illegal housing situations is not a story about Glen Cove.

A story about Glen Cove that doesn't mention the arrival, or pending arrival, within the city limits, of, to name a few, Staples, Swezey's, Land Rover, Ferrari, Lechter's, KB Toys, Coconuts, Starbucks, Blockbuster, CVS, Petco, the Mayfair, and the Sunrise is not a story about Glen Cove.

A story which doesn't mention the long, hard work put into securing millions of dollars in grant funding for the revitalization of the waterfront and doesn't note the benefits reaped by the return of tax dollars to improve the quality of life in Glen Cove is not a story about Glen Cove.

A story that doesn't mention the bright glory of the Gold Coast, the ethnic diversity of the people of the City of Glen Cove, is not a story about our community at all.

The people of Glen Cove learn from the past, dream and plan for the future while ensuring the present is as good as it can be for everyone. Glen Cove has a unique luster now, and in a very short time Glen Cove will be resplendent.

Zefy Christopoulos, Editor

Karl V. Anton, Jr., Publisher