Last week, Roger Tilles showed his true colors and "green" was not among them. By bulldozing the environmentally critical kettle-hole ponds on the Underhill property- Nassau's number one priority for acquisition and open space preservation and which serves to recharge Long Island's ground water aquifer system- Mr. Tilles has demonstrated complete disregard for the environment and for his neighbors. Oyster Bay, Nassau County and New York State have agreed that the environmental sensitivity of the Underhill Property - 81 acres in a state-designated Special Groundwater Protection Area-justifies purchase of the parcel, using money from voter-approved preservation funds.

But, Tilles says "No." Instead, he insists on building a 270-unit housing project which would send taxes for new government services through the ceiling, drive down property values, overcrowd our schools, and compromise Nassau's purest source of underground drinking water.

Despite preservation efforts at every level of government, which would ensure the property is purchased at fair market value, Tilles and his development partners are determined to destroy one of Nassau's last tracts of open space- one that would help recharge millions of gallons of pure, fresh drinking water for our children and grandchildren. This, even as courts struggle to decide the issue. Underhill stands as the gateway to the last remaining open space in Nassau County. If we don't preserve Underhill, development of whatever open space remains in Nassau County is sure to follow.

What can be done? In light of these recent illegal bulldozing activities, it's clear that we cannot count on the civic responsibility of the owner and developer to preserve Underhill. Government must move now to protect and preserve Underhill, an essential natural resource. Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta, and New York State Senator Carl Marcellino, who represents the district Underhill is in and who, as the chair of the Senate's Environmental Conservation Letters Committee, is in a unique position to assist this effort, must show the leadership necessary to commit the dollars to preserve Underhill for future generations. The acquisition of Underhill must move ahead, immediately. It's clear that Mr. Tilles will not serve as steward of the land. Our elected officials must do their duty and purchase Underhill, at once. It's never the wrong time to do the right thing.

Joseph Lorintz, president

The Society to Preserve Underhill