We are surprised by the misconceptions being expressed by some members in the business community about a plan that is only a preliminary concept. Hicksville has suffered, for some time now, with the poor planning that caused a mess with east-west traffic at the expense of our downtown and residential areas. Now our local government is giving us a once in a lifetime opportunity to correct past mistakes.

There have been two huge turnouts where hundreds of longtime Hicksville residents came to hear and participate with consultants, civic leaders, police reps,. LIRR reps and chamber members who all collectively worked toward a list of ideas to improve Hicksville. This has become a very important undertaking.

But lately, people who never helped create the Draft Vision are knocking the input and extensive research while acting as if they are the voice of Hicksville. There are businesspeople that come from outside Hicksville who are now trying to take over the vision that was being formed by all those at the planning sessions. It's their agenda to keep Hicksville as one big parking lot

Midland Civic Association, which has deep roots and has worked many times with businesses on behalf of the residents of Hicksville, vigorously supports the continuation of the arduous process of implementing a comprehensive plan for all the people of Hicksville. We support the years of studies that specifically state the need to alleviate traffic congestion and air pollution occurring right in the middle of downtown Hicksville where east-west roads poorly connect to other east-west roads.

We agree with the studies, improved traffic flow will improve the safety of the downtown area. Better air and pedestrian safety will also help all the other ideas that came to the Hamlet Plan, such as senior citizen housing, landscaping, a community center, better utilizing Kennedy Park and encouraging more investment into Hicksville's commercial heart and all those pockets of vacant land.

Also important is the use of the correct roads for commercial traffic instead of roads that were designed for residential use. Those neighborhoods are profoundly affected by the mistakes made in the original design. Some of the road changes, without a doubt, need to be implemented, especially from West John Street to East Barclay Street.

The structure that has allowed the exchange of ideas and collected the input of Hicksville residents must continue.