I was more than a little taken back when I read a letter to the editor from S. Meriggi in the April 26 issue of the Manhasset Press. The facts stated in the letter were badly distorted at best.

More to my concern is the attempt at smearing the good name of the mayor of Plandome Manor and other board members who also happen to be members of Plandome Country Club. I as a current trustee of Plandome Manor but not a member of Plandome Country Club would like to give a true statement of the facts.

The country club decided to reconstruct a building on their facility. They got approval of the governing municipality, the Village of Plandome not the Village of Plandome Manor, and proceeded with the work. At a Village of Plandome Manor Board of Trustees meeting, concern over the construction of this building was voiced. The Mayor, Carlo Manganillo, explained that our village had no jurisdiction over the building as it was not in our village nor did it fall within any authority of the village. He would however, on behalf of the village, contact the country club to ask that a representative meet with any of the concerned residents of Plandome Manor to discuss it. He contacted Plandome Country Club to ask for that meeting and was later informed that a discussion had taken place with some residents. The club was sensitive to the concerns and stated that there would be some planting at the appropriate time in the construction that would aid in beautifying the building.

There was no attempt by the mayor to mislead the residents concerned over the club building. Why would there be? He nor the village has any responsibility or authority over it. There were however a few residents at the meeting that were angry about the building. The other trustees and I, while the appearance of the building is subjective, understand and support their right to object to the appearance. I do not understand and strenuously object to the striking out at the mayor and board by these frustrated residents, with inappropriate anger demonstrated by the April 26 letter and expressed at the meeting. All the people who serve on the different boards in our village do so as volunteers and, by in large, do so with only the best interest of the village. In particular I know that is the case with Mayor Manganillo who I have served with for over five years. I know that is the case with the other trustees who were in office when this issue came to light. That does not mean that we always agree on issues, we frequently don't. That does not mean that we do not make mistakes, we are human. But the board is always willing to look at any issue to see if a mistake was made and if so correct it.

For those of you who do not reside in our village please understand that as a whole, ours is a friendly community where neighbors support neighbors. A very high percentage of residents appreciate and respect our mayor for the work that he is doing and the time and effort that he dedicates to our village. For my fellow residents of Plandome Manor I would like to thank you for the outpouring of support for me, the other board members and in particular for the mayor who generally only hears the complaints as a result of the position he holds. For those of you with corrective criticism, we welcome the input. Attend the board of trustee meetings and volunteer for the different boards in our village. Voice your concerns. We need that feedback, we welcome your insight and intelligence. But only doing it in a positive constructive way truly serves the village and for that matter yourselves. And thank you Mayor Carlo Manganillo for serving our village in a manner we can all be proud of.

Gene Petracca

Trustee and Deputy Mayor

Village of Plandome Manor