The Mineola Civic Association is an intrepid group of interested and informed residents who have just grievances with the way village government is being run. Formed a few months ago by a core group of self-described "fed-up" residents, the Association has grown to over 50 members and meetings currently held at President Bill Urianek's home have drawn about 20 active participants. The organization says its growth is being stifled by its inability to accommodate more people at its meetings.

Although some individual members have been labeled "troublemakers" by village officials, the Mineola Civic Association as a whole has goals which makes it a viable and worthwhile group. It seeks to help control development of chain stores by requiring public approval for zoning code changes, wants to push the village to fix dangerous intersections and update handicap facilities around town, and mandate public approval of all bond issues. With the level of village spending an issue during the election campaign for trustees, the Association's call for public approval for bonding seems to demand review. In addition to the above goals, the Association has asked that all parking laws be enforced, that public meetings be held twice a month and with sufficient time for residents' questions and comments, and that a representative from the 3rd Precinct address the village board once a month. The last request was honored at the most recent board meeting when Police Officer Harold Reddan agreed to do just that.

Village Attorney John Spellman is in the process of writing up a uniform policy for use of the Community Center, the need for which has come because of high demand. With all the community organizations within the village, this move is necessary. It may come down to allowing use on a revolving basis. But no matter what the policy is or what problems the village has had with some members of the Civic Association, to deny access to a group aimed at spurring interest and debate in local government for any reason would at least seem cowardly. To give the group legitimacy would only sharpen the focus of its issues to those which only affect the majority of residents and weed out any plans to use the organization for personal vendettas.

We believe Mineola Civic Association should be allowed to use the Mineola Community Center for its meetings under the following stipulations:

* That meetings be held monthly and on a date and time amenable to the village, given the current demand for space at the new facility;

* That meetings be open to all village residents and public officials, all of which should be given opportunity to help shape and direct the goals of the group;

* That the Civic Association not use its numbers for partisan purposes with aims at attacking any public official or resident for private gain;

* That use of the Community Center for all organizations be up for review on a regular basis by village officials.

-RFR