We are glad for the correction in the story in the Feb. 21 issue of the Enterprise Pilot entitled "Dan Burden of Walkable Communities Returns to Oyster Bay, March 14-15," which included a subhead, "Other Sites Can Be Explored" that should have said "Other Ideas Can Be Explored [for Firemen's Field]."
We did misconstrue the meaning of the paragraph in question and were pleased to have Mr. Sheeline explain his position. It was good to talk to him. We see things differently, which is something we always enjoy. It is great to be able to disagree pleasantly and to learn from someone else's position.
It gave us an opportunity to say we believe we are all on the same page as far as the proposed Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum and Research Center concept exists. As a member of the press we often are the "Devil's Advocate" looking for the flaw in an argument or picking up the carpet to see the dust underneath. Our aim is to inform the public and to explore truths, but we can seem to be negative.
We enjoy the way the different personalities in the community express their opinions. The wonderful entrepreneurs in town want the museum; those involved in real estate want the development. We have heard people who are involved in research that question what actual material the new museum can hold when there are so many TR collections in museums all over New York State, not to mention the Harvard libraries in Cambridge, and the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. Additionally we have heard parents being very vocal about saving Firemen's Field for parking for those attending sports events at the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District's Roosevelt Memorial Field.
There are also environmentalists who want to be sure there are no ill effects on the oyster industry in Oyster Bay Harbor.
It appears to us that everyone thinks having another museum in Oyster Bay is appropriate but most everyone is concerned with the size, the location and the impact of the museum.
There are so many things in question that it was nice to have Mr. Sheeline say that Mr. Burden will focus only on what should happen at Firemen's Field.
That at least narrows the playing field.
There is still a great deal to consider, but at least that pie has been cut into bite-sized pieces.
All we can say is we live in interesting times. What could be better!