This is an exciting time in Nassau County as local unincorporated areas consider becoming villages. On Wednesday, Aug. 13 the Nassau County Village Officials Association (NCVOA) held a meeting in Lynbrook. (We went to press on Monday, Aug. 11.)

Mayor Victoria Siegel, NCVOA president said they tried to get a location that was central for everyone. Originally she considered Bayville, but as people contacted the VOA, she realized the Oceanside, Amityville area might be more central for those interested in the discussion.

On Monday, Aug. 11, she said, "I hope everyone can make it. It will be as much a learning experience for us as for all of you. We will be sharing information because anyone considering becoming a village should only do it after learning all the facts, and knowing as much as they can. That is so that people won't later say - we made a mistake. Residents should go into the process with their eyes fully open," she said, adding, "I don't think there is anything like being an incorporated village, but that's me."

We plan on attending the meeting and reporting back to residents on what the parameters are about incorporating. The mayor had some interesting figures she has been gathering about East Norwich that she will share at the meeting.

When asked why the NCVOA is spending their efforts on this issue, she said: "I, as president made it a priority, because some communities expressed an interest in incorporation. East Norwich is one of them, and there were many more we didn't know about that expressed an interest in finding out about incorporation. So being the organization that represents 64 villages in Nassau County, shouldn't we at the very least disseminate the information? We can provide the information, then it is up to the residents to decide if they want to be a village or not."

In reporting about Nassau County, the Town of Oyster Bay, and local villages, it is interesting to see how quickly things can happen in a village. There is often an immediacy that is hard to duplicate in a larger level of government such as a town. In the Village of Muttontown for instance, everyone knows, appreciates and can get in touch with their mayor, building department, village clerk/treasurer and even highway commissioner . That nearness to the center of action makes living in a village very inviting. We for one are very interested in the process and actually are looking forward to attending meetings of the East Norwich Village Board of Trustees.

- DFK