On the one hand Clinton G. Martin's swim team is every dedicated parent's dream. The benefits of a credible summer activity, healthy competition, discipline, camaraderie, all immensely good.

On the other hand groggily groping for a parking space while simultaneously discharging passengers, dodging traffic and trying to arrange an alternate meeting location when Clinton Martin gates are closed are not credible endeavors.

What is a bit surprising is this is a common occurrence during the away swim meets. Starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday mornings cars begin lining up eventually stretching for hundreds of feet down Marcus Avenue because the staff doesn't show up until the regular opening time in the morning. What they are forgetting is that families and coaches count on the park being open earlier.

Parents need to safely drop off children and rendezvous to follow the bus. Coaches need to park and leave their cars and the bus driver needs to have sufficient space to maneuver a bus.

The current situation is not just inconvenient, it is dangerous and puts people at unnecessary risk. All that is needed to solve the problem is to create a simple strategy to make it work properly.

The facility manager should be aware of swim events and their times and then coordinate opening the gates early when the staff is not available.

Stephen Cipot

Member of Parks Civic Association

After May Newberger and the North Hempstead Board secretly opened up our Michael J. Tully Park indoor pool to non-residents, there have been rumors circulating throughout New Hyde Park that the Clinton G. Martin pool will soon be open to non-residents as well.

I contacted Newberger's office and received similar information.Our community can't afford to lose the few assets our tax dollars buy us. Please inform your readers of current developments on this important matter.

Stuart Weiss of New Hyde Park

(At the last meeting of the Town of North Hempstead it was established by the town board that Clinton G. Martin Pool will not be open to the public since it is designated as a special park district for New Hyde Park.)