To describe the residents' reaction to the proposal to develop the Strathmore Village plot behind Daffy's as "negative" (Manhasset Press, June 16, 2005, p.3) is like describing the Grand Canyon as an "interesting rock formation" or Shaquille O'Neil as a "big basketball player." No, the reaction was a unanimous, full-throated and vehement rejection of the proposal. An acrimonious history that was alluded to, but, in the minds of the developer's representatives who faced off against the residents, was better left in the past, no doubt contributed greatly to the residents' unabashed rancor.

The hot, stifling room did nothing to abate the overt hostility. Nor were the politicians who convened the meeting, but who lacked the residents' shared history of the project, spared the wrath of the residents. Several residents, exasperated by what to them was a sense of déjà vu "all over again," threatened the politicians with electoral defeat should they not finally lay this proposal to rest.

Contrariwise, those residents who rose to speak against the project fared dramatically better, with some receiving raucous applause. All in all, for someone who lives in Strathmore, but is not directly impacted by the project, it was an enjoyable evening of participatory democracy as theater. Only time will tell whether the elected officials heard the will of the people so resoundingly expressed.

Vincent J. Coyle Jr.