The two stories on page one of today's Manhasset Press call to mind once more the value of village government. In recent days we have heard much criticism of village governments. They are called an unnecessary layer of administration and some believe that the village functions could be carried out at a town or county level. We disagree. Take the case of Plandome's current struggle to improve the condition of Plandome Road as it winds around the village. If Plandome Road were a county road as it goes through Plandome you can be sure that the degree of attention currently being lavished on the issue would not exist. A county engineer would most probably look at the road, decide it was inadequate for heavy truck traffic and have it widened, taking private property in the process and Plandome residents would have their quality of life considerably diminished. This is not to say that in the long run it might not be necessary to widen the road. But residents can be assured that every care has been taken to see that their concerns come first.

Flower Hill is now engaged in a discussion of a possible building moratorium. Once again, we are not taking a position for or against the moratorium, but we do think that the village residents are well served by a board that tries to preserve an ambiance that those who bought homes in its precincts expect.

Once again, our hat is off to those who give their time and talents and efforts to run our villages. They deserve our thanks and they all too often receive unwarranted criticism.

E.F.B.