Concerned over Nassau County's decision to discontinue funding of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in 2001, Plainview Water District Commissioners Sam Panciroli, Joel Kessler and Edward Shulroff have joined Superintendent Paul Granger in the effort to dissuade the county from making, in their minds, a huge mistake.

"The Cornell Cooperative Extension has been instrumental in promoting the efficient and wise use of our precious drinking water resource," said Panciroli. "The organization has been proactive and instrumental in educating the public and lawn irrigation professions."

"It was recently brought to our attention that funding for the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County will not be provided in the 2001 county budget," said Kessler. "We certainly understand the financial situation that the county must deal with at this time, but we feel that no funding will be regressive to the environmental quality of life in Nassau County. Furthermore, base funding must be provided to the program to at least sustain basic operations and to secure precious state and federal funds and grants. No funding would decimate the organization and its environmentally worthy goals."

The Plainview Water District and other water purveyors across Long Island are concerned that the elimination of funding for the organization will have grave consequences on consumer education and the environment.

"Cornell Cooperative Extension is a vital entity to the local water suppliers, school districts and county residents," said Shulroff. "Eliminating funding to the organization will erase the great gains which have been made in the way of consumer education, water conservation and groundwater protection. Schools would also lose much needed assistance in environmental education as they seek to enhance and expand their earth science programs."