"You're lucky to have him," said one Manhasset merchant when she heard that North Hempstead Councilman Fred Pollack had been named liaison to the Manhasset community. Mr. Pollack, who was elected in November, had served a previous term on the board, losing his bid for re-election in 1997. This time around he was successful and was sworn in on Jan. 1, 2002. In his previous term on the board he was liaison to Manhasset and is well known in the community and familiar with the local issues. His plate will be full in this term because he is also liaison to the New Cassel and Westbury communities. In North Hempstead council members are all elected at-large, although there is a commission studying the issue of creating councilmanic districts in the town. That commission, headed by North Hempstead Democratic leader Joe Galante, is expected to announce its findings in May of this year. Councilman Pollack is also town liaison to the Manhasset Bay Protection Commission, the Hempstead Harbor Commission and the Waterfront Advisory Commission.

The Manhasset Press spoke with Councilman Pollack recently on issues of concern to the community. The first topic of discussion was the fate of the Whitney property. (A hearing on that property was held on Tuesday evening, March 12, after this newspaper had been printed. We will report on that meeting next week.) The Whitney property, now known as The Greentree Foundation, has asked the town to create a new zone which would enable the foundation to run the property as a charitable organization encompassing programs " designed to promote global peace, human rights and the improvement of civil society." Various groups, including those from the United Nations, have used the property for meetings in recent years.

The Greentree Foundation was recently denied tax-exempt status. In handing down that decision, State Supreme Court Justice Ira Warshawsky said that the property is not presently used exclusively for tax-exempt purposes. He added: "It may be considered to be well-suited to becoming a center for International Transitional Justice or as a center to promote universal human rights and guidance for nations in transition to democracy partially because of the privacy and security and distance from ordinary distractions. When that day comes the application must be reconsidered." Attorneys for Greentree have said that they will appeal the decision. A number of local groups have tried, without success, to acquire part of the 420 acres. These include the Manhasset Public Schools, the Manhasset Public Library, various athletic teams and North Shore Hospital. The property is private but some citizens have raised the possibility of condemning portions of it for public purposes.

On another topic of interest to Manhasset residents, Councilman Pollack said that the King Kullen construction is still being held up by two lawsuits. A decision against the opponents of the supermarket is being appealed. There is also a second lawsuit protesting the approval by North Hempstead of its site plan and alleging violations of the SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review) process. Mr. Pollack said that it is possible that if a "stay" is put on the property pending the outcome of the lawsuit, Kimco, the developer, may demand a bond that will enable it to receive reimbursement for the time the property has lain idle.

Mr. Pollack also spoke of the property of the former Village Bath Club which has been vacant for several years. Pollack believes that the best solution is for the owner, Charles Belanich, to build four houses on the site. Told that Mr. Belanich has stated that he could only build three houses, the councilman said, "I'll show him how he can build four houses and make a profit."

Councilman Pollack can be reached at Town Hall at 627-0590.