Sometimes rumors are just that, an empty falsehood, or an attempt to ruin someone's reputation. Sometimes they turn out to be fact.

Some months ago I wrote about a rumor that Federated (Macy's) was going to sell their property and in its place a hotel and condos were to be built. At the time I had checked with both the Building and Planning Departments of North Hempstead and they had no knowledge of any such plans, or applications. Still, there were rumors and others had heard them too.

On Friday, August 5, Macy's executives in the Manhasset store called their employees together for a meeting. At this meeting they announced that a large portion of their property had been sold off and that a Ritz Carlton Hotal was to be built as well as condos, Macy's was to remain (in the deplorable condition it is in) and as soon as Citibank's lease was up at the end of the year, the four stores that have been empty and vandalized for several years, and Citibank will be torn down and replaced by a mini mall.

Once again, this would involve the homes of Terrace Manor as this mini mall will abut the backyards of the homes on the west side of West Drive who have never had any screening to begin with.

As soon as I received this information, I went directly to the executive office for additional information. When I inquired, of the receptionist, as to just what property had been sold off, the demeanor on her face completely changed and she excused herself to get another woman. When the same question was asked the same reaction occurred and this second woman summoned a third by the name of Linda who took my name and number and said she would get back to me; which she did.

Linda referred me to Mr. Tom Zaps of public relations at the Manhattan office. I placed two calls to Mr. Zaps only to reach his voice mail both times. I explained what information I wanted and asked that he contact me ASAP. I had the feeling that he was on vacation.

When he did call back I was at work and he spoke with my husband. He denied knowing anything about the sale and said that it was all rumors. So it was back to Linda, who was on vacation. A very rude manager (who gave his name so quickly that I didn't catch it) got on the phone. He denied over and over again that any property had been sold and that there had been a meeting with the employees.

When I received this latest information I was sitting on a bench outside of Macys along with an employee who was taking a break and who turned to me and told me the story of the meeting. She was a perfect stranger. I told him this and asked him again if he was sure that there hadn't been a meeting and if not, then why would a perfect stranger, an employee, tell me such a story? He became more frustrated and angry, but continued to deny the meeting and the sale of the property. He too, told me to call Mr. Zaps. I didn't bother.

I followed up with interviews with Macy's employees, some of whom I had gotten to know over the years. Yes, there was a meeting. From them I also received the additional information about the mini mall and where they had understood the hotel and condos were to be built. The hotel is planned for the back half of the parking lot close to Whitney Pond and the condos for the empty lot where the parks department had wanted to build baseball fields last year; which, once again abuts the dead end streets of Terrace Manor.

The last time I checked with the Town of North Hempstead Building and Planning Departments they had not received applications, nor any other information concerning the matter of Macy's property. That was about two and a half weeks ago. I think that they are getting a little tired of seeing me with the same questions.

A hotel? Do we really need a hotel with the Garden City Hotel just around the corner? The location is at one of the busiest intersections of Northern Boulevard. Traffic flow is so bad now that it takes 15 minutes to get from Community Drive to Nubest at rush hour. There is always a long line of commuters cutting through Macy's parking lot during rush hour to gain a few minutes and cut out a couple of traffic lights. Where will the condo residents and hotel guests egress? Will an attempt be made to open up the dead end streets of Terrace Manor after a 10-year fight to close the "cut through" gate at Filene's?

We are talking about additional garbage in an area where there is already a rat and raccoon problem. And what about noise? Those of us on West Drive are already kept awake by the sound of plows running all night when it snows and sweepers at other times.

With stores closing left and right, why would Macy's even consider a mini mall where those five stores are located. It is so unkempt now, both in front and behind those stores, a little pocket park would be lovely. A place where waiting husbands might sit and read the paper. Maybe a small coffee shop as well since there is no place for a mother with children to get a bite to eat, or friends a cup of coffee. But more stores, I don't think so.

Condos? Didn't we just put an addition on Munsey Park School? How many children will they bring? How many more cars for each new home owner; at least two. Will the additional school bus route raise our school taxes even more?

I am sure that there are many environmental concerns that I am not educated enough to even be aware of. I have always understood that Macy's was built on a floating platform. What kind of problems will be encountered constructing the hotel?

Kacey McDonald