While the idea of incorporating East Norwich is still in the air, one issue needs to be brought out.

In 1938, when the Nassau County Charter was drawn up, Richard Sprague came up with a brilliant concept: take away all zoning powers from new villages.

That started a landslide as villages that were in a position of deciding, incorporated. They kept their zoning and they kept local home rule.

They also kept down taxes as the village officials served without pay. The village clerk, and such positions as building inspector or highway supervisor and chief of police became the paid jobs.

Recently, as the police officers neared retirement age, paying pensions became a new source of concern, and many villages opted to join with the Old Brookville Police to take over their areas.

Change occurs and changes are made.

It still might be a good time for East Norwich to incorporate. There are two tacks to consider: one is the power inherent in an architectural review commission. Although East Norwich would not have zoning powers they could have, for instance, insisted that Boulder Creek construct their building to look like the original Rothmann's with its pitched roof, dormers and porch. That in itself would have maintained the old village look and kept Colorado out west where it belongs.

"Not that there's anything wrong with that."

The other tack would be to challenge the Nassau County Charter. Doesn't the item taking away zoning power cut back citizen participation the same way the old board of supervisors did. Maybe its time to challenge another of the old boys rules.