I am a resident of Manhasset. I am very proud of this lovely town and of the personal and professional accomplishments that allow my family and me to live in such an affluent community. Chances are, most readers would agree whole-heartedly.

This is also a community of concerned citizens who dedicate precious time and energy to wonderful causes that help those in need. Given this, I am unpleasantly surprised at the lack of respect we show each other once we climb behind the wheels of our vehicles. Manhassetans speed up and down streets with reckless abandon through neighborhoods teaming with small children. Rarely do I see anyone using a turn signal while whipping around corners at full speed.

How many will honestly admit to:

1. Speeding across Rugby Road to catch the light at Strathmore Road and Northern Boulevard in order to avoid the long line at the Onderdonk Street light?

2. Slipping through the corner of Starbucks parking lot to cut in front of right-turning traffic from Bayview Street?

3. Reaching 55 mph on Park Avenue - slowing down to 30 mph through the stop signs?

4. Not using turn signals or yielding to traffic at the triangle at Plandome and Stonytown Roads?

5. Making U-turns on Plandome Road while holding up lines of traffic in both directions, despite the No-U-Turn signs every 25 feet?

6. Clogging up the commuter parking lot and blocking the intersection of Park Avenue and Plandome Road while your significant other disembarks from the commuter train?

7. Thinking that your destination and timely arrival is just a little bit more important than anyone else's?

It is as if we believe that affluence equals entitlement. It does not.

This holiday season, as we ask our respective 'higher powers that be' for a prosperous 2004, I ask the citizens of Manhasset to reflect on how to be more neighborly and careful on the streets of our town.

Marjorie Chin