The fate of the Whitney Estate, and its effect on the lifestyle of Manhasset residents should be of utmost importance to each of us. I fear that we in Manhasset, having long assumed that the Greentree Foundation would do the right thing by Manhasset (although I don't know why), will sit idly by while we slowly bear the burden of several potentially damaging moves by the Greentree Foundation.

In the past month, I have met with Greentree Foundation President Bob Curvin, and had a chance to ask questions, and hear about the foundation's plans, including allowing use of some of the indoor facilities to United Nations meetings, events, etc. There are several things that Manhasset residents need to know about this situation, how we got here, and where this may go.

First, this is still a great deal about money, approximately $800,000 per year. The Greentree Foundation feels that it is entitled to be tax-free, regardless of the impact this may have to the Manhasset community, as it would greatly reduce tax rolls for the school, water, fire, and park districts, as well as the town and Nassau County (as if the county can afford this). The foundation is currently in court fighting the County Assessor's Office on this point.

In addition, let's look at some recent past moves by the foundation. I've gathered some information from public documents on this. According to the Greentree Foundation IRS Return of Private Foundation for 1998, some interesting things occurred in that year. Betsy C. Whitney died, and the foundation received the Whitney property as a result. The IRS Return goes on to state that the foundation spent $944,367 as "the property is being prepared to host conferences and other charitable activities at the property." This may not be so odd, but did they know in 1998 that they were sure of town approval for their changes back then? If so, why did they know back then?

Well, the key may be on page 15 of the same IRS Return, which states, "Condemnation payment related to land held for exempt function" of $356,000 (I guess this means it is possible to condemn parts or all of this property after all!). Is this the condemnation payment made by the Great Neck North Water Authority (GNNWA) for land purchase in 1998 on Greentree property for a new pumping station. (Just east of North Shore Hospital - you can't see from the street)? Not a dime spent to fight the condemnation? Maybe I'm being a little too cynical, and maybe my guess is off base. But, what if our current town supervisor received a benefit for her home community of Great Neck without a fight? GNNWA gets badly needed clean water. Perhaps someday Greentree gets a change of land usage zoning and gets closer to tax-free status? Unfortunately, Manhasset loses water (the new GNNWA pump is in MLWD's area), and loses property tax income. Is this all a coincidence or was an understanding reached? Perhaps there are more dots to connect?

In addition, who needs 13.2KV of electricity on their property (that's enough to light 130 average homes in Manhasset)? Well, that's not even good enough for the foundation, as they are about to get not only that 13.2KV of electric power coming down to them from LIPA, but the foundation is getting a redundant sourcing down Shelter Rock Road (now we're at 26.4KV). For anybody keeping track, the foundation would be able to power up 260 homes, or two medium-sized factories, or the Jacob Javits Center all in the name of "a few UN meetings!" I think not. To be fair, this amount of electricity is only getting to the edge of the property, and will be stepped down to 440V, for now, but I think you get the potential picture. Add this to the fact that there has always been a water pumping station on the property, and the foundation will be halfway to some major building, with or without town consent. (Bob Curvin himself says they get many, many requests for the property, and that they won't sell, but there's no way they would guarantee that, either.)

I can go on, but the point is, why would we put our Manhasset's future in the hands of a foundation? None of the directors live around here. The foundation itself is in Manhattan, and the foundation itself has a less than stellar reputation around here for working with the people of Manhasset for Manhasset (1998 Return, for example, shows all donations, almost $1 million, went to New York City charities, $0 to Long Island and $0 to Manhasset).

There are three easy and clear messages to give as a citizen of Manhasset:

Number one: When the Greentree issue comes up again at Town Hall, which it will soon, we must make Manhasset voices heard, loud and clear.

Number two: Send a note to Robert Curvin, president, Greentree Foundation, at 400 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017. I think he's a good guy, I just don't think he understands. Tell him you want a say in how that land is used because to you, the Whitney Estate represents more than simply a foundation and ledger sheet, it's the oasis that protects Manhasset's quality of life.

Number three: Urge your friends at our local municipalities: the Manhasset Park District, Manhasset School Board, the Library Board and Manhasset-Lakeville Water District to get together and put a plan in motion to send a united message to the Greentree Foundation that Manhasset wants a say, or we will urge all our local municipalities together to start the condemnation process.

Jim Judge