I have been reading about the Syosset Downtown Redevelopment and Revitalization Plan. How exciting for the Syosset residents. I wonder what happened to the "Hicksville Hamlet Plan"?

Why would the Town of Oyster Bay and [Supervisor John] Venditto spend more taxpayer money drafting up a plan for Syosset's downtown area when Broadway in Hicksville gets worse and worse? Is that huge three-story building that is being built part of the plan to attract businesses? How many years have passed since many of us sat in the auditorium at the middle school and listened to Mr. Venditto tell us how important Hicksville is? How much money was spent on the beautiful drawings he showed us? Where are the businesses we are trying to attract to our area?

What a shame that we are truly not cared about in Hicksville. Imagine the money that could be generated with nice restaurants that cater to more than one type of food or culture. Nice shops that would attract the many people who come off the train. Maybe their husband or wife could meet them for a bite to eat and stroll down our town, with the beautiful new sidewalks of brick. And the really attractive street lights we were shown. How about the great plants and benches in the sketches? Maybe someone would pick up all the garbage that is all over Broadway.

Things could be so much better for our Hicksville if the Town of Oyster Bay went through with their promise of a true Hicksville Hamlet Plan - the one that we were told about, not just some lighting by the train station.

Again, we are the forgotten town. Has Mr. Venditto moved on to the Syosset Downtown Plan because they are a more affluent area? It is time for a change here in Hicksville before it is too late. So many downtowns throughout Nassau and Suffolk are really getting a revitalization. The Town of Hempstead just announced its plan for Downtown Baldwin to get a makeover. It's a shame we are not.

Marie Grebe