After reading the April 15 article about Legislator Mejias' town hall meeting, I am in agreement with Massapequa Preserve President Richard Schary's assessment of the current condition of the preserve. The "announcement" made by Legislator David Mejias regarding the upcoming rehabilitation project is nothing more than a weak attempt to draw attention away from the concerns of residents regarding the growing threat of gang violence in our county.

The Massapequa Preserve rehabilitation has been a project that has been moving forward since 1997. The Observer has been covering the progression of the project since 1998. I have conducted town hall meetings regarding the project and initiated a Nassau County Planning Commission meeting in the community to allow residents to contribute to the process. The project was unanimously approved twice by the Nassau County Legislature. Legislator Mejias has been quick to jump in and take credit for a project that was in place before he was ever elected to office.

Friends of the Massapequa Preserve President Richard Schary said that the rehabilitation project "will not deal with the quality of life issues" that face the community; and he is right.

Only an increased police presence will alleviate the growing concerns of gang violence in the preserve and throughout our county. The growing concerns of residents in the area stem from a recent incident where three teenagers were the victims of a gang assault in the preserve. This vicious attack sent all three to the hospital with substantial injuries including one victim who suffered multiple stab wounds.

When the Nassau County Legislature approved the 2005 budget, I offered an amendment which would have added 300 more police officers to our streets and created a dedicated anti-gang task force to combat similar attacks that are increasing in frequency and savagery. The proposal to create a dedicated anti-gang task force was defeated by a vote of 10 to 9. Legislator Mejias, despite all his rhetoric that he is tough on crime, provided the 10th and deciding vote against increasing public safety in Nassau County.

Legislator Mejias needs to re-examine the important issues in this county, and stop wasting time garnering headlines on issues that predate his term in the Legislature by nearly a decade.

Peter J. Schmitt

Legislator