Whoa! Who Needs Another New Commissioner?

What's the rush to replace our current Park District Commissioner, Edward Winrow? Hasn't he shown his mettle over the years in being a good commissioner? Why do we need to have the third new commissioner in three years? Isn't there anything to be said for continuity? I read that a Mark Sauvigne is running and he has made promises that I think I remember being made a year ago by another new commissioner and have yet to see any results. (Weren't we promised last year that new property would be bought for playing fields for our children?) Haven't seen any yet! Mr. Sauvigne may be a lovely person but he certainly seems to be overly involved in community activities already. I also have not seen anything in his literature or public relations pieces that would tell me he would do anything different than the three commissioners are now doing or attempting to accomplish.

What we have seen is a small increase in some parking spaces by re-striping, and the painting of the light poles within the parking lots. But why were those poles painted green? Black would have been a traditional color of the colonial era and Manhasset and would have complemented our lovely black lamp poles on Plandome Road. Now with the "red" railroad fencing and the "green" poles, we look like Christmas all year round.

I read that Mr. Sauvigne would like to take over (by what legal means? None mentioned so far.) Some of the not-for-profit Greentree Foundation property (no, it is not Whitney any more, Mr. Sauvigne, and has not been for a few years) for playing fields for our children. Does he know that everyone and their brother has approached Greentree and the property is not for sale and will not be donated? He would have known if he had ever attended even one of the Park District public meetings. It was and remains the emphatic wish of Mr. and Mrs. John Hay Whitney, in granting this property to Greentree, that it not be broken up and Mr. Curvin, president of Greentree, and the trustees, which consist of the Whitney family members, maintain they will fulfill the original owners' wishes.

Mr. Sauvigne is looking for the "senior vote" by supporting the special senior citizen parking areas. Does he know how many senior citizens there are in this town who would overwhelm any parking area designated for "seniors only?" Or, did Mr. Sauvigne make an error in his letter and advertisement? That error might get him votes, but will eventually disappoint many seniors. Does he mean "handicapped parking?" Then, I would agree some more spaces should be available. But I don't see how his goals expressed in his ad or letter are any better than the current commissioners'. Let's not have a change right now, let's let the current commissioners proceed with the plans they have made and succeed with them. There is no need for a change much less to bring in someone else who will be learning on the job and who seems to have a full plate. Ed Winrow, its current chairman, has done this for many years, spends the hours upon hours needed to be expended for this job and has the years of experience and networking needed to help run our Manhasset Park District with some continuity. He has helped keep the lid on spending such that the taxes will not go up this year. Vote for Edward Winrow Tuesday, Dec. 11, 5 - 9 p.m. at the Bayview firehouse and he, together with Mrs. Roberts and the newest member, Mr. Rolston, will keep a good thing going!

Phyllis J. Clark