Recently LIPA Chairman Richard Kessel announced his new proposal to address Long Island's future energy needs. The plan includes necessary upgrades to the system, renewable sources of energy, interstate power transmission via a new underwater cable and new generation capabilities. As a member of the "SHARED" Alliance against KeySpan's proposal for a 250 Megawatt Power Plant on Spagnoli Road, I applaud Chairman Kessel's decision to address our energy needs in a comprehensive manner that will foster competition in the market. We must, however, remain guarded against this and other proposals that pose a threat to our environment.

Community activism continues to be alive and well in Plainview-Old Bethpage as was further evidenced on June 2 when over 1,000 residents attended a community meeting regarding Charles Wang's proposal for the former Nassau County Property on Old Country Road. Although Mr. Wang appears to have lofty plans for dense development on the former 144-acre county site, as well as an additional 22 acres on the North side of Old Country Road, he has shown a strong desire to reach out to the community to share his vision and gather resident's input. If you were not able to attend the meeting, you may refer to the articles in Newsday and The NY Times and plan on attending future community meetings to keep abreast of this issue.

This past year I had the pleasure of serving as President of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School PTA, in addition to my role as President of the Concerned Citizens for the Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School Community. I, as well as my PTA predecessors, always encouraged our families to "stay informed and stay involved." With that in mind, I was very proud to be a member of this community on Saturday, June 12 when over 2,500 residents attended our first "American Cancer Society-Relay for Life" at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School's running track. The "Relay" set records across Nassau and Suffolk Counties for raising more funds, garnering more attendance and attracting the largest number of survivor attendees for a first-time event.

A fundraiser of this magnitude took a tremendous amount of coordination on the part of our Event Chairperson Aviva Sala, the District-Wide Health Committee, the entire Plainview-Old Bethpage school community and board of education, buildings and grounds crew, and teams of volunteers who worked diligently sourcing corporate sponsors, donations of foods and services, raffle prizes, entertainment and preparing an incredibly moving "Survivors Dinner." Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto demonstrated the Town's commitment to the cause and our community by providing the Town of Oyster Bay's "Show-Mobile, " portable field lighting and preparing our aging cinder track for this event. By the second year of our two-year commitment to the American Cancer Society the Town will have completed further upgrades to the track surface. All were pleased that Supervisor Venditto and Town Councilwoman Rose Marie Walker came by to cheer the crowds on.

As of last count, our community raised over $121,000 for this worthy cause and donations are still being collected. The generosity of our corporate sponsors, local merchants, School District, parents and students throughout the entire district was overwhelming. I felt privileged to have played a small role along with the other 2,500 residents of our wonderful community.

Finally, please mark your calendars and plan on attending Plainview Water District's community meeting on June 29 to learn more about their recently completed Master Plan. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School Auditorium.

For questions or concerns please drop us a note to Concerned Citizens of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Community, 998-C Old Country Road, #143, Plainview, NY 11803 or send us an e-mail at ccpohc@aol.com. We always welcome hearing from you.

Carol Meschkow

President

Concerned Citizens of the

Plainview-Old Bethpage Community, Inc.