I am writing about the recent article featured regarding Home Depot's application to the Town of Oyster Bay Town Board to expand its market to Plainview [Home Depot Plans to Build in Plainview, Feb. 9]. We are very distressed about the prospect of this petition and strongly support the opposition movement.

This week, I had the pleasure of attending the community meeting sponsored by the Washington Avenue Civic Association. The meeting afforded me the opportunity to hear more from residents, local elected officials and Home Depot representatives. It was a very energizing and uplifting experience to be a part of a crowd of 750 people, from Plainview-Old Bethpage and several surrounding communities, who are deeply committed to safeguarding our quality of life. It is imperative that this impressive crowd maintain its momentum to protect ourselves from the proliferation of this mega-chain in our community.

Kudos to Washington Avenue Civic Association for their expedience in organizing this community forum. Congratulations to all of the residents who came out to stake out their piece of suburbia in support of our children, local business and tranquil lifestyles. Please continue to keep this issue in the forefront. As we raise our unified voices in protest toward Home Depot, we send out a clear message that we will not stand for any threats to our environment.

Carol Meschkow

Concerned Citizens of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Community, Inc.