The plan Glen Cove has for revitalizing the waterfront, including ferry service to New London and Martha's Vineyard, is a wonderful positive thing for Glen Cove and the whole area. Everything I have read, even from the negative side, states that the revenue from the ferry will be used toward cleaning up contaminated property. That by itself makes the ferry a worthwhile project, but there are many other positive aspects about the ferry.

A ferry represents an alternative means of travel and takes cars off the Long Island Expressway. Rail service to New England can be picked up in New London.

Travelers on the ferry can reach Mystic Seaport, Martha's Vineyard, Providence, Boston and other cultural and business destination points. Will there be access to Foxwoods? Of course, but that is by no means a reason to fight a ferry.

Ferry customers will likely discover the shopping and dining in Glen Cove and other points of interest. When commuter trips to New York City begin, the convenience will raise property values in Glen Cove and its nearest villages.

Those are just a few of the positives attached to this ferry.

[The other day] I saw a flier put out by ferry opponents calling for a boycott of all Glen Cove businesses. "Without our dollars the town and the mayor will die along with the ferry." This is the most irresponsible and ridiculous of strategies. Taking money away from private business owners and the families they support will accomplish nothing but to fuel unnecessary anger and resentment between communities who have always, as they should, worked together. The neighboring towns need one another and need Glen Cove whether all residents realize it or not. Glen Cove takes Sea Cliff's garbage, for instance. Locust Valley residents enjoy the proximity of the supermarkets on Forest Avenue.

Hopefully, after listening to both sides of this issue and all of the facts at the forum on Wednesday night, people will come to rational conclusions, cease the near hysterical argument and realize that the ferry will be good for everyone.

Beth Dressler, Administrator

Glen Cove Regency and

Vice President, Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce