I attended the meeting of the NYS Assembly LIRR Task Force in Floral Park on the evening of April 17. It seemed clear that our local and state representatives have heard and acknowledged residents' overwhelming opposition to the current plans for MTA/LIRR's Third Track Project.

I find it important to remind those who were not in attendance that Senator Craig Johnson recently introduced a bill in the NYS Senate, the Main Line Community Empowerment Act (S 7037), which is a measure designed to give a voice to the communities affected most by the MTA/LIRR's proposals. Under this bill, the village boards of Bellerose, Floral Park, New Hyde park, Garden City, Mineola, and Westbury (which represent the incorporated communities), and the Town Boards in Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay (which represent the unincorporated areas) would have to vote on the project. Thus, the Third Track Project would only be constructed with the approval of two thirds of the town and village governments which are directly affected by the proposals.

By giving local communities the power to approve or disapprove the Third Track Project, this bill will finally give New Hyde Park residents and the New Hyde Park Village Board of Trustees the power to protect and defend the economic integrity of our community and its suburban lifestyle. Unfortunately, however, every member of the Senate Majority failed to vote for this measure to come to the floor, so it continues to remain "stuck" in committee. It is important to note that at the NYS Assembly Task Force meeting, Senator Johnson invited Assemblyman Alfano and Assemblyman McKevitt to introduce this bill in the NYS Assembly with the hope that it will be received with greater interest and support.

For those of us who cherish our incorporated village and access to local government, we believe that, as taxpayers, we have earned the right to determine the future of all projects which propose permanent changes to our community - including the MTA/LIRR's proposals. When the NYS Senate refused to allow this bill to come to the floor of the Senate, it denied the entitlement of every citizen to have his/her voice heard on this historically significant issue!

As residents who live in a main line community, we have a moral and civic obligation to contact our representatives in the NY Senate and NY Assembly to let them know that politics should play no part in securing the future stability of our community. We want them to bring this bill to the floors of their respective legislative bodies and pass it!

Diane Bentivegna

Resident, Village of New Hyde Park