In political forums, the subject of consolidation regularly arises. Consolidation of school districts, elimination of villages, consolidation of towns are proposed. The conclusion is always the same--no dice. People like their smaller units of government, whether it be a school district, a village or a town. They like them because they are comfortable with them. They can go to a school board meeting or village board meeting and see their neighbors in positions of authority and receive answers to their questions.

We mention it this week because of two incidents. We received a telephone call from John Frangos, a gentleman who had moved into Flower Hill with his family last year. Let him tell it. "Some time during the summer I received a welcoming letter from Thomas Gulotta and some time during the fall I sent a letter back raising this issue of excessive speeding (on Port Washington Boulevard). To my surprise I received a letter from Mr. Gulotta agreeing that there appeared to be a problem." The County Executive referred Mr. Frangos' letter to Nassau County Commissioner of Public Works John M. Waltz who conducted a radar study of the road and referred his findings to the Nassau County Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit. The problem has not been solved but it's being addressed. Mr. Frangos ends his letter by saying: "I wish to conclude by saying that I am very impressed by the responsiveness of local government, both at the county and village level. Coming from New York City, this has been a very pleasant surprise."

The second incident involved a call we received from a resident of Port Washington who was concerned about some trees being bulldozed in the vicinity of his home. The editor of our Port Washington paper was on vacation and the call was referred to us. We referred the matter to a reporter for the Port Washington News, who pursued it, but we also called County Legislator Barbara Johnson, who represents Port Washington. Ms. Johnson was busy when we called but she got back to us, as we knew she would, before the day was out. She expressed shock at the removal of the trees and promised to follow up on the call, which she did at once.

It's just one more example of the advantage of dealing with government that is less than monumental in size. Of course it also speaks well of the individuals involved.