Late breaking news is always good for an editorial. We just received a fax from the Theodore Roosevelt Association saying they are canceling their two remaining community information sessions regarding the proposed Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum and Research Center. They were slated for Thursday, Feb. 21 and Thursday, March 27 in the Parish Hall of Christ Church.

Instead, the association will be participating in a community-wide planning meeting, to be hosted by the Main Street Association, to be held on March 14-15.

Details regarding the March 14-15 meeting will be announced shortly by the Main Street Association. The fax/press release uses the word "Charrette," the term Dan Burden uses for his focus group meetings for community planning of Walkable Communities.

We are hopeful Mr. Burden will return to Oyster Bay, although we haven't used all his suggestions. He suggested the area south of Townsend Square was the "center" of town and had some ideas for making that obvious. He suggested a statue would be well situated in front of the Oyster Bay Post Office as another anchor location in town.

We hope, as the community discusses the proposed museum, included in the subject matter will be suggestions on how to revitalize the downtown area. We think with a little creative thinking the hamlet can bloom again.

What about a big banner across South Street saying "Oyster Bay is Open on Sundays." Letting people know the hamlet welcomes visitors on a weekend day when most stores have opted to close, might be a way to begin the revitalization of the hamlet. What about bicycle Sundays - with Audrey Avenue closed off to traffic.

Little steps toward revitalization would be a fail-safe way to see that the community prospers in a way that keeps the quality of life intact.

As for the museum - it will be fascinating to see how the entire community responds to the proposal. Looking at the Presidential Library websites makes us think TR is being shortchanged if his museum is cramped onto a small site. Take a look at the Cold Spring Harbor Public Library, a beautiful building, built on a sloped site that is similar to the one being offered for sale in Oyster Bay Cove, adjacent to Sagamore Hill.

There is a lot to think about, including Mr. Bruns' statement that if Firemen's Field doesn't work for the community he will look for another site in Oyster Bay. Not to push the issue, but many people are in favor of the museum at the AvalonBay Communities site. The TRA has a lot to look at and think about. Let's hope the community together will have the wisdom to do the right thing for TR. - DFK