As residents and community leaders prepared for last year's Relay for Life event in Plainview, a problem arose. The track at POB Middle School, where the event was to take place, was a cinder track and the weather became a main concern.

Carol Meschkow, president of Plainview-Old Bethpage Cares, approached Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and the town board at that time to see if there was any way they could help POB repair the track at POB Middle School. Venditto suggested that they re-asphalt the track. Meschkow knew that, although a generous offer, the weather would still be a concern and if it rained, the event would not be the great success the community worked so hard to produce.

The paperwork and plans didn't get to the State Education Department in time for last year's relay and thus nothing was done. Last year's relay was a huge success and the weather was not a concern. "The community met the challenge and Plainview's Relay for Life last year was the third largest in the northeast region for a first time event," said Meschkow. "We, as a community, raised over $130,000 last year and we want to exceed last year's numbers this year. The Relay for Life incorporates the entire community. It is a wonderful event that instills a lifelong interest of charity in our children."

After last year's successful event, the need was still there for a new track. After more conversations with the board, Venditto and the board members decided to grant the funds for an all-weather, state of the art track for the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District. "This will be the finest track that is available and because of the wonderful work of the supervisor, it will be completed at no cost to the taxpayers," said Meschkow.

Venditto and the board left the decision of where the track should go, either at POB Middle School or POBJFK High School, up to the community and the school district. On Feb. 14, the Plainview-Old Bethpage Board of Education held an open meeting at Mattlin Middle School for the board of education to hear from interested residents and staff members about the location of the new track being donated to the district by the Town of Oyster Bay. After the public comment session and a discussion between the members of the board of education, the board made a unanimous decision that the track should go to POBJFK High School.

The Plainview-Old Bethpage Booster Club, a group that promotes and supports the interest in athletics and sports of every kind in the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District, was also influential in the decision about the track. The Booster Club thanked all those responsible for getting this track approved. "Special thanks go out to Carol Meschkow, the board of education, the PTA, Plainview Little League, Police Activity League, Town of Oyster Bay, the athletic department and the people of the community," the Booster Club said in a statement.

"To Carol Meschkow, we in the community thank you for your tremendous dedication, spirit and community mind-set. If it were not for your gracious, non-confrontational attitude for our community this great gift would not be," said the Booster Club in a statement. "...Thank you for all you do for our community - whether it's the children, seniors, parents - you are always there for the good of our community."

According to Meschkow, the generosity of the supervisor is what made this track a reality. "Our town supervisor is the quintessential public servant," she said about Venditto. "He is always looking to enhance the lives of Town of Oyster Bay residents. This track is a gift for the entire community and will be a permanent improvement for everyone to enjoy. We are very fortunate to have the supervisor. Also, we have outstanding people in our community that work so hard. We do a good job to keep our district a desirable place to live."