A very fruitful town meeting was held this past Saturday at the Manhasset Library. The occasion was a forum on the necessity for a new or improved facility to replace the present overcrowded and inadequate edifice.

The meeting was most rewarding in that it finally established the urgency to do something immediately to preserve and maintain this important service to our community.

The choices are quite simple. One is to leave conditions as miserable as they are by patching up, and/or replacing the systems breaking down. Even this patch - patch inefficient method would cost over a million dollars. The other enlightened, realistic choice, is to build a new, state of the art library.

The meeting was skillfully conducted by a library board which fielded all questions, and emphasized, that as trustees they are now ready to act on the wishes of the community.

To ascertain the objectives of the community the board is collecting the opinions voiced at this and other forums, plus the results of town wide telephone inquiries, and other messages from residents.

Let us simplify the situation as we see it. Following the plan of the board, the prevalent opinion of our town's people will be put into a proposal and referendum by hopefully spring 1999.

The most widely held opinion by far, is that only Plan 3, the Christ Church site, is the almost perfect solution to all library problems.

If this constructive sentiment continues, it will hopefully pass the referendum handily. If the financing arrangements are concluded construction may begin in late 1999. Then, barring any catastrophes, the new building can be moved into within 18 months or so, that is December 2000 or March 2001. (How strange these numbers are still).

If people or circumstances delay this project, this town will not see this facility updated for years and years. It will then be up to our grandchildren. Some of us may not be in this for the long haul.

Frankly, this project of community renewal must be handled by the youthful element in town.

The meeting brought out the young parents in town. They are rightfully outraged at the firetrap conditions of the children's section. My advice: get organized. Start meeting, shouting, demonstrating, petitioning and see what neighboring libraries have done by incorporating community rooms, and youth and senior centers. Manhasset can afford to do the same. It's about time.

The funniest comedy acts come out at Election time. The comedians are the politicians running for office.

Take Al D'Amato, please. For 18 years he has consistently voted against any measure dear to conservationists or ecological organizations.

The League of Conservation Voters, LCV, has given him the worst rating of all. They have checked his voting record, and it can't be refuted. And so the joke is his "walking the beach" ad, or claims made on his TV barrage that he is a "protector" of the environment.

In the meantime, his protégé, Governor Pataki, has been a true delight to the environmental groups who love his past and present correct ecological actions.

Unlike D'Amato, Gov. Pataki has to his credit, received the full hearted support and endorsement of the non-partisan New York League of Conservation voters. I should know, since son Joshua is their political coordinator. Come on Al, repent and learn from the Guv.