Supervisor John Venditto states on the TOB website: "Approval of the SEA Fund is solid proof that the residents of the Town of Oyster Bay are strongly committed to continued environmental preservation efforts by the Town and willing to pay a slight tax increase to ensure the preservation and enhancement of our environmental assets for generations to come."

Of the two scenarios below, which better demonstrates a stronger commitment to "continued environmental preservation efforts by the Town?" Which better ensures that our SEA Fund tax increase will go toward "the preservation and enhancement of our environmental assets for generations to come?"

1) Reducing the Tappen Park and Picnic Area by half:

The TOB replaces half the picnic area with a roller hockey rink and constructs an artificial FieldTurf field that is four times the size of the roller rink next to it. Together, the two fields will take up almost half of Tappen Beach Park and obstruct much of the Hempstead Harbor water view. Towering stadium lights obscure the night sky. Bleachers, high fencing and windscreens create a visual blight.

The fields are used mostly on weekends and evenings and stand unused most of the time, especially in the summer. In addition, the environmental impact and safety of artificial turf are ongoing concerns.

2) Expanding and Improving the Tappen Park and Picnic Area:

The TOB replaces the asphalt on the southern part of the parking lot with grass and trees; creates a winding path around the park's perimeter for walking, skating, cycling, etc; adds some checkers/chess tables: builds a wading pool by unblocking the natural spring that is forever flooding Shore Road and pipes the spring water into the pool.

The expanded and enhanced park and picnic area, complete with Hempstead Harbor water views, are enjoyed by many generations of area residents year-round, days and evenings, weekdays and weekends, especially in the summer. In addition, the environmental impact and safety of grass and trees is extremely beneficial.

Tappen Beach is the only waterfront park where North Shore families can play and picnic.

There are 20 sports fields at North Shore Schools and the Boys & Girls Club- nine soccer/lacrosse and 11 baseball fields-where North Shore children can play sports.

Please tell Supervisor Venditto which of the above scenarios demonstrates a stronger commitment to "continued environmental preservation efforts by the Town" and ensures that the SEA Fund Environmental Bond tax increase will be used for "the preservation and enhancement of our environmental assets for generations to come."

The next TOB Board meeting is in the Town Board Hearing Room, Town Hall East, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, NY at 10 a.m. on July 15. Also, call Town Hall (624-6350 or 624-6363) and ask to speak with Supervisor Venditto or log on to the Town's website (www.oysterbaytown.com).

Karin Barnaby