On Feb. 13, residents of Plainview attended a public meeting to voice their opinions and concerns over Home Depot's application to build a 119,000 square foot retail store and garden center in a 9.5 acre industrial area between Round Swamp Road and Sunnyside Boulevard, bordering the north service road of the Long Island Expressway in Plainview.

A panel consisting of Ginger Lieberman, president of the Washington Avenue Civic Association, which represents approximately 300 Plainview residents; Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs; Assemblyman David Sidikman; councilmembers Bonnie Eisler and Leonard Symons; former Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Lew Yevoli; three representatives from Home Depot; and Dolores Fredrich, the lawyer representing Home Depot, was there to listen to the residents' concerns.

"This is an informational forum," said Judy Jacobs. "Home Depot has filed with the town and we want to give you the opportunity to express your concerns. As I always say, progress that leaves destruction in its wake is not progress."

The main concerns of residents, as displayed on posters outside of the town meeting, include over-saturation of Home Depots, traffic congestion, constant noise, air pollution, uncertain property values, tractor trailers and late night deliveries.

" I spend a lot of time in Albany, but I live here in Plainview," said Assemblyman Sidikman. "My children went to school here and I am greatly concerned about the residents and want to hear what they have to say."

Residents are also concerned that the new Home Depot store would create a domino effect in Plainview - if Home Depot is built, more retail stores will follow.

Lew Yevoli, former supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay, explained the concept of zoning to the residents in attendance. "Home Depot needs a special use permit since the land is currently zoned industrial, which does not allow retail. A special use permit allows people to deviate from the original plan. If we allow this store to come, more stores will follow. This is not just about Home Depot," Yevoli said.

Home Depot currently has 16 stores on Long Island, three of which are within five miles of the proposed Plainview location in Huntington, Farmingdale and Jericho. The proposed Plainview store would employ approximately 300 people, according to Dolores Fredrich.

Fredrich explained that Home Depot targeted Plainview because the Plainview community shops at other Home Depot stores. "Many of you shop at the Jericho and Farmingdale stores," said Fredrich. "Both of those are very successful stores that support a very heavy volume and we believe that this volume can be transferred. We do not want to serve all of Long Island, but just the residents of Plainview. This way residents do not have to drive to Jericho."

Her last statement caused a great uproar by the residents. "Jericho is only five miles away," said one concerned resident as he stood up and spoke to the panel. "I will wait in line at the bagel store to get a bagel in the morning longer than it will take me to get there."

Fredrich tried to ease some of the residents' fears and speak about the positive aspects of the chain. "Home Depot has a history of community support and cooperation," said Fredrich. "We have a history of working with the community, the civic association and the local municipalities."

Residents were not convinced about Home Depot's community involvement and would rather see a local merchant, Trio Hardware and Paint, stay in business. Bruce and Francesca Carlow, co- owners of the store, have been in Plainview for 38 years and their store is in great jeopardy if Home Depot comes to Plainview. Many residents spoke on their behalf.

"This Home Depot will destroy the quality of life in Plainview. A big company cannot take over small town life," said Harrison Berkowitz, an employee of Trio Hardware for the past nine months.

"Commercialism is taking over in suburbia and it isn't right," another concerned Trio employee said.

Another local store owner spoke to residents and the panel. "I am a local storeowner and I advertise in Newsday when I need [employees]. The gentleman that is sitting over there [motioning to a representative of Home Depot] came into my store and tried to solicit my best salesperson to work in the Expo Lighting Center. There are their ethics - they come into your store and try and steal your employees. What kind of neighborhood friends are you?"

A Jericho resident spoke and told of the horror stories the Jericho Home Depot store has brought. He invited residents of Plainview and panel members to drive to Jericho and look at the parking lot. "There is garbage everywhere," he said. "It is a disgrace. The parking lot is packed with merchandise, especially during the holidays, and it is taking up parking spaces. Home Depot is the worst neighbor."

Lieberman, who was leading this town meeting, summed up the evening to residents, which showed the dedication that the Washington Avenue Civic Association has toward this fight. "We are fighting to keep the quality of life at what we think it should be," said Lieberman. "[Home Depot] is coming in and telling us how we should live. We are the taxpayers and we have a right to say no. This is going to be a war."

The panel members attended the public meeting to listen to residents' comments and concerns, but not to make any kind of a decision. The Town of Oyster Bay Board is expected to eventually hold a hearing regarding this application. Councilmembers Symons and Eisler, although present at the meeting, cannot form an opinion at this time, as they will hold two votes of the seven when it is time for the town to vote on this application.

"I have lived in Plainview for 30 years," said Symons. "[Bonnie and I] are not here to make judgements but just to listen. We must keep an open mind in case we have to vote on it."

One resident spoke and thanked the lawyer and the Home Depot representatives. "You did help us," he said. "You brought us all together and united us and now we will fight together."