The village of Mineola Board of Trustees delivered a resounding "no" to application to establish a convenience store on the southwest corner of Jericho Turnpike and Emory Road.

This came in front of a packed village hall whose unanimous public statements agreed with the decision of the village board.

The Mineola Planning Board had recommended that the village board deny the application because of the unsafe traffic situation this potentially created.

In comments made by the board this issue along with that of the safety of the neighborhood children weighed heavily in the board of trustees decision.

The particular site in question is within a short distance of three schools: Jackson Avenue Elementary School, the Mineola Middle School and Chaminade High School.

In the past the location has been home to a gasoline station and a dry cleaners/ laundromat. The new convenience store would have occupied 2,590 square feet and would be operated as a 7-Eleven.

Barry Nelson who testified as a real estate expert for the applicant stated that there would be a one story structure erected at that site with entrances at the northeast corner and on the west side of the building and adequate parking.

Nelson added that he noticed what he considered many similar uses along Jericho Turnpike and a convenience store at this site would not have a negative effect on the area or an effect any different from whatever might be considered to be established at this location.

"There would be absolutely no adverse effect, in the development of this property in the proposed use," commented Nelson.

The board's questioning and statements centered on issues of congestion and the children.

"This proposed convenience store will create a safety hazard," stated Trustee Warren Brinker.

"This particular use is not going to endanger or create a hazard for any of the residents of Mineola," responded attorney for the applicant Howard Avrutine.

The trustees also criticized the applicant on the preparedness of the presentation.

"I do not think you know the community as well as we do or have a sensitivity to the residents," commented Warnecke.

Afterward, numbers of people got up to vocalize their disapproval of the proposed convenience store.

Resident Scott Fairgrieve was the first resident to take to the podium. Not only did he suggest that the board should deny the application, but he called for a ban on food stores in the village.

Tony Nocito stated based on his experiences as a customer of 7-Elevens that the stores almost always attracted a congestion of people and vehicles.

Kenneth Kruse, who has been a resident of the village since 1963, suggested that the board rule along the lines of the Planning Board. He also added that he disagreed with the idea of banning food stores from Mineola.

Candidate for Trustee Joe Galante also disapproved and expressed his pleasure in seeing such a turnout for this hearing. However he also said that he thinks the area of notification for these hearings should be increased as issues such as this effect a great number of people.

Resident Bill Urianek did his own survey finding that if this was approved there would be five convenience stores on Jericho Turnpike within a mile and a half of one another.

"I am seeing Democracy in action," stated board meeting stalwart Sal Cataldo who also expressed his disapproval of the application. Many of the night's sentiments echoed the theme of protecting the children. Though Cataldo agreed, he also offered, "What about us senior citizens?"

Also on hand to voice their disapproval were Chaminade President Brother George Endres, Jackson Avenue PTA President Donna Strein and Teacher Helena Sommer who represented the Mineola School Board.

In addition to those in attendance, a petition of 70 names was handed to the board against the proposed use of this site as a convenience store.

In response the lawyer for the applicant said that he knew there was nothing he could say that would change the minds of the communities.

At the end of the hearing Brinker made a motion to not only close the hearing but to deny the application. The motion was seconded by Warnecke and a poll of the board revealed the vote to be unanimous in denying the application for a special permit.