Tom Kuehhas, director of the Oyster Bay Historical Society spoke on behalf of the preservation of the American Legion Hall which has stood on South Street for more then 70 years. He said, "People have said 'It is not Mount Vernon.' Well, when did that become the litmus test determining whether a building should be saved or not? Based on that logic, only one building in the entire United States would be worthy of preservation."

He said most people recognize what old buildings do for a community. "They are tangible reminders of the past. Part of what makes Oyster Bay such an attractive place to live.

"Oyster Bay has been extraordinarily blessed, in terms of its historic and architectural heritage. However, it requires constant vigilance on our part to maintain it. A building lost to a parking lot here, another there, and pretty soon these gradual incremental losses add up to the destruction of large areas. One need look no further than South Street for evidence of that. Once a piece of our architectural heritage is gone, it's lost forever. I don't think people appreciate the finality of that!

"Generations of people have grown up in Oyster Bay with that building standing sentinel over South Street. The Legion building is a link for the current generation to that of 1930. That generation collected enough money, during very tough economic times, to erect a building to honor the veterans of the "Great War." That building became a part of the social fabric of this community. What does it say about us that we're willing to let that building be destroyed? We need to preserve this building to provide future generations with that link to our past."

He asked the board if they could save the building in the way the Adams-Derby House was saved at the Landmark Colony on Lexington Avenue. In that case, the townhouses were grouped around the Victorian building, (formerly occupied by Ethel Roosevelt Derby and owned by her family), giving the area a very special identity.

On Monday, June 30, Mr. Kuehhas visited the American Legion building to see the interior. He said, "I definitely think it's a useable space, it's a great community building."

This reporter also viewed the building on June 30. The large room on the left side goes up the full height of the building, to the roof, which shows no water damage. There are tall windows around the room, which has a full open space like a gymnasium. The wooden floor is attractive, and ready for a good coat of wax. There is a small raised portion that was probably used as a stage for the band when they held dances there. The building has a tile roof. The right side is two stories high, with an attic space. There is a stone fireplace on the first floor in a style of the Faracco building on Pine Hollow Road. In the upstairs meeting room, only the wooden cabinets remain of the kitchen. In the basement, there is another large space unobstructed by columns, and what was probably the original kitchen. It has a row of glass fronted wooden cabinets for storing china.

At the hearing on June 24, Supervisor Venditto added to discussion saying the need to preserve that part of our past was demonstrated in early June when he spoke at a school and mentioned "June 6, D-Day." He said both the students and teachers didn't know the significance of that day. "A student suggested it was the name of a movie." Mr. Venditto said, "With that in mind, not that it is just part of our history, but our rich history, we'll be very mindful of that." He said of the historical structure, "We will look at it. It's an issue that is brought up a lot. We'll consider it."

William Burke of East Norwich, a retired NYC school principal said he wasn't in favor of saving the American Legion Hall. He said he collects muscle cars and that age doesn't make a car valuable, it's their uniqueness as well as other characteristics. "Nostalgia doesn't make history." And, talking about the Legion Hall, he said "I've seen better garages!"

Frances Leone, a resident of Oyster Bay for 30 years, said the American Legion building should be saved. "At a meeting Island Properties had a drawing of a plan that showed it as part of the development. Once it is destroyed, it is gone forever." It had been incorporated into the plan as a community association building that might house a gym facility for residents.

Abraham Poznanski, president of IP was the next speaker.

He thanked the supervisor for the opportunity to listen to the input from the community and added, "it is very important to us." He said he was speaking against the advice of his staff, "who said to sit down and keep a low profile," but said, "It's important to say this about the American Legion building."

He said Attorney Jeffrey Forchelli had presented the application and told of the benefits to the community. He said the plan is the result of numerous meetings with community members, the Oyster Bay Civic Association and the American Legion. He said when Bonnie Eisler asked if it could be salvaged, the answer was, "No." He said, "Jack Bernstein told why when he spoke at the last meeting." (Mr. Bernstein said it was too late and that the new plan was better for the economic development of the hamlet.)

Mr. Poznanski said, "Some people are looking for a villain. That isn't me. When the American Legion sold the building they knew the fundamental issues with the building. Robbie Hallock responded to the residents' request for 'no supermarket.' You (the board) recognized the ALH as being demolished for the ALF in the Special Use Permit. We purchased it to improve the use of the site. Originally we planned to save the site by going from the 112 units and reducing it to 60 and saved the building as a restaurant, a health club and as the Legion Post."

He said the current plan is for a Victorian building linked with the history of the town, that is a scaled down use, with no restaurant and not stressing the EMTs of the local volunteer fire departments. He said the American Legion wanted to have their cornerstone and plaques for their new building at 120 South Street, so they have been removed. He said the plan "is

consistent with the hamlet plant. It establishes new housing in the hamlet." He said they considered relocation of the shell.

He asked a rhetorical question: "Is it better to pay tribute to the veterans and not salvage the shell? I believe in the spirit and memory of their sacrifices and that reverence to their memory can be included in the project."

Bonnie Eisler asked, "How?"

Mr. Poznanski said, "We'll try to look at ways we can pay respect."

Bonnie Eisler said, "I accept your comments but respectfully disagree. The board will ask you to look back at it to see if there is some way to keep it."

John Venditto said "We've discussed this from the beginning. Before this board votes, we will be discussing the American Legion Hall again: the subject has come up countless times. We'll have to pursue it."

At the back of the hearing room several residents of Sampson Street were talking. When asked if cars could go around the existing American Legion Building, they said with the (planned) buffer, it will be tight, but it's possible.