After the last public hearing, it was interesting to note that a Newsday article confirms what was being said all along by opponents concerning the rush to transfer the Sewage Treatment Plant. County Public Works Commissioner Ray Ribeiro was quoted as saying, "The city was in a hurry because it did not include the $4.5 million to operate the plant in next year's budget."

In addition, the county has assessed the plant at $30 million, but will subtract about $6 million in outstanding debt that it will assume, and another $3 million for capital improvements. How benevolent of them! When did the county turn into a charity for the City of Glen Cove?

It is also interesting to note that our mayor must again "hire consultants" to determine what this asset is worth, yet without having any of this, was so ready to agree to turn it over to the county. Sounds to me like the county did their homework and might just be planning to get a great return on their investment.

It is about time this city takes the time to crunch the real numbers, present them to the public in a time frame where there is time to review the numbers, and gets real feedback from the public, not just the mayor's constituency. Enough of the quick-fix bandaid approach allowing this administration to bury the rising deficit for another year or two. Put the operation of the sewage plant back into the budget until we can all see what retention of the sewage plant could mean to our future. Think of the possibilities...maybe we could tax the county for usage....maybe the surrounding areas will be forced to hook up if their septic tanks are eventually shown to be a source of pollution to the harbor. Perhaps we are giving up a cash cow that could be nearer in our future than we think...or maybe the county already knows that.

Marie Coyle