After years of requesting the construction of a traffic signal at the entrance to the Plainview/ShopRite Shopping Center on Woodbury road, Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) recently announced that work has been completed and the light is operational.

Area residents were the first to suggest the need for a traffic signal many years ago when they voiced their concerns over vehicle and pedestrian safety surrounding the shopping center. According to residents, there had been numerous accidents at the shopping center's outlets, some of which have resulted in fatalities. Furthermore, they cited that pedestrians, many of whom were senior citizens living in the community, had a difficult time safely crossing the roadway.

Shortly after hearing the outcry from the community, Jacobs began corresponding with the concerned parties. She contacted the owners of the Shopping Center and the supermarket, TREECO and Jon Greenfield, respectively, who agreed to pay for the installation of a traffic signal, as well as officials in the Nassau County Department of Public Works.

Thanks in part to the continued input of community residents, the management of the shopping center and supermarket, and the Department of Public Works the traffic signal was constructed and motorists and pedestrians were made a little safer.

"I am so thankful of the community for making us aware of this situation, and I would also like to thank Albert Krull and Jon Greenfield for their refreshing response on behalf of the Plainview Shopping Center and ShopRite," said Jacobs. "In working together we all have made our community a safer place to live."