I enjoyed your article concerning the Florio property in Oyster Bay. Before I continue, there is one correction to be made; my father, Rocco Florio, came from Paduli, Italy and started his shoe repair business. He did not come from Hellgate (wherever that is), as you stated.

I was raised in this old homestead from the age of 5. My father rented one of the shops, along with the house, in the rear and years later was able to purchase the whole property.

I am a senior citizen now and came back to Oyster Bay nine years ago to take care of my elderly mother until her death at the age of 99 in 1997.

It was wonderful to come back to my hometown to reside again, even though I visited my parents on a weekly basis. I was born, raised, and educated at St. Dom's, etc. It was the best of times.

The photos of the property brought back many fond memories. It will all be gone soon, but memories will always remain.

Thank you.

Nancy Florio-Partes

I was pleased to see from your lead article on March 18 that the wonderful plans proposed by St. Dominic School for their long awaited playing fields may be a step closer. I wish the school and its students the good fortune they merit and that all who oppose their intentions keep themselves well informed - basing their opinions on the facts presented and not on hearsay.

Peter Kandell and I met at several meetings held by St. Dominic's to provide an accurate representation of their proposals. I valued the opportunity to listen to opposing arguments. Peter was quoted in your piece last week, however, discussing the impact of school buses and student drivers on my road - Mill River Road. The car accident he referred to was one of three within half an hour that early morning due to black ice after a recent snowstorm. The first was just south of Remsen's Lane, the second was at the traffic lights on 25A and the third was at the junction Peter referred to. To mention this accident in support of his concerns for traffic on Mill River Road and access from Remsen's Lane was unjustified.

We have lived in our house for eight years and consider it one of the most exposed to the traffic on the road so I feel well qualified to judge the potential impact of additional traffic. (Mr. Kandell lives at the end of a secluded private lane a good distance from Mill River Road in Upper Brookville. His exposure to the ebb and flow of the road's traffic is insufficient for his opinion to carry weight in this matter. I applaud his lack of anonymity, however, unlike some of his nameless allies!)

The regular usage of the playing field by the students will be after school hours and not during the road's busiest usage (between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.). The afternoon traffic is much lighter and the fields will not be used at all during the winter months when bad weather affects our road the most. Moreover, if all the St. Dominic's traffic were to use Mill River Road the perceivable increase in overall volume would be negligible.

To raise Mill River Road's traffic flow in opposition to the playing fields on 25A is worthy of consideration but the issue needs to be addressed by a qualified party. I am at home all day and have two young children (who happen to attend St. Dominic's - my unequivocal support for these fields would remain the same were they for Oyster Bay High School, Green Vale School, Lutheran High School or whatever school.) I am, therefore, constantly using my driveway and Mill River Road. My house has no fence, is close to the road and I am a keen gardener. I am qualified to have an opinion on this issue.

It is worth pointing out, however, that traffic along Mill River Road is not even an issue in the pros and cons of this debate as Monsignor Ribaudo has repeatedly confirmed that neither the buses not student drivers traveling to and from the fields will be given permission to use this route (if in fact they chose to do so which is unlikely as the most efficient way is along 106 and 25A).

It appears to me that the underlying divisive factor as to whether or not the St. Dominic property can be used as student playing fields is not a matter of increased traffic or lost taxes or property values or the rural nature of Muttontown or noise or whatever other excuse can be dredged up. The divisive factor amongst those I have talked to is whether one feels part of the community of the village of Oyster Bay or not. If a sense of separation exists then the opportunity to support the youth of another community, especially when our local status quo will be affected, can be dismissed as unnecessary and intrusive.

What must surely unify all of us, however, living in this area is the belief that green open spaces are to be cherished and held on to and that healthy, happy and motivated teenagers are the key to our futures both collectively and as individuals. I would hope that these factors alone would serve to overcome any reticence to developing a sense of community.

Furthermore, those of us who have chosen to buy homes within half a mile of a four lane highway carrying 25,000 cars per day can hardly expect the same unchanging, rural existence as, for example, those who life in the Oyster Bay Cove or Mill Neck communities.

Give the children a chance. This is a perfect location for them at the end of a very long search. Their fields will not detract from our community - they will only serve to enhance it.

Helen Lind