A Chinese restaurant has been trying to open in our downtown shopping center, the Gardens at Great Neck. And, as this newspaper went to press, they were still having a hard time obtaining a permit from the Village of Great Neck Plaza. At the last village meeting, the restaurant said that enough is enough, they have done their best, and they need to be able to do business. The Plaza has been steadfast in denying approval until a decision has been made regarding the right odor control system.

How fortunate we are in having a local government that is so concerned with our residents, so concerned with their comfort, their welfare, that the village officials are not afraid to say ''hold on'' when they have some questions about one business or another.

Now Mayor Bob Rosegarten and his board of trustees are most assuredly strongly devoted to maintaining a thriving downtown business district. Mayor Rosegarten is justifiably proud that his years in office have seen fewer and fewer vacancies. This is no accident. The mayor, his board, and his staff are dedicated to their village, to their downtown area, to ''Great Neck the greater;'' but they do not let business come before the residents.

The Plaza has had problems before with food establishments and the odors emanating from those shops. In fact, a restaurant at the desired spot in the Gardens once caused such an odor problem that neighboring residents could not open their windows; some even complained that their furniture smelled like fried chicken. The Plaza is determined not to let his happen again.

So, when the restaurant applicant and the shopping center owners ask for consideration, and the residents jump up and say, ''We can't worry about their business; we have to live,'' well, we, too, have to side with the residents.

The Plaza is right in waiting for a definite answer. It is unfortunate that there has been a problem with the Nassau County fire marshals and their choice of a system. But it is the applicant's problem, not the village's problem and certainly not the residents' problem.

We strongly support Great Neck Plaza in their insistence that their idea of an adequate odor control system be the one approved before any permit can be issued. And we know, when the final decision comes before the Plaza board, they will make the right decision---for sure, a decision that is in the best interest of the residents.

The residents come first!

Wendy K. Kreitzman