An unnecessary controversy has arisen in Manhasset. At issue is the proposal to add signs to the street signs along Plandome Road with the name of Police Officer Joseph Coote, who was killed when he tried to stop a robbery at Food Fair, then located in the Filenes Shopping Center, in 1961. The Nassau County Police Department has recently begun a project to remember those of their number who were killed in the line of duty by naming streets in their honor. The police have been given a hard time lately in the press (although not in these pages). We have always had an excellent rapport with our local 6th Police Precinct. Manhasset has been particularly grateful for the creation of the POP units. We can understand the desire of the Police Benevolent Association to remind the public of those heroes among them who gave their lives for those they were sworn to protect. It is certainly appropriate to honor them. It's just a question of how it is done. Manhasset civic leaders have expressed their opposition to the signs for aesthetic reasons, offering suggestions of more appropriate memorials, such as a plaque in Mary Jane Davies Park. Supervisor May Newburger says that she met with local civic leaders and they were unable to agree among themselves as to what sort of memorial would be appropriate. Town and police officials appear to think a memorial plaque in the park is inadequate. We beg to differ. There have been others who gave their lives for us. Seventy-eight of them were remembered on Memorial Day and their memorial is a plaque in the park. The Manhasset Press thinks that is appropriate and would be no less appropriate for Officer Coote.

E.F.B.