(Ed.'s note: The following was sent to the TONH Board and reprinted here at the writer's request.)

Dear Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Town Councilman Fred Pollack:

We the North Hempstead Business Association are writing to support the proposed Bradley at Lower Main Street, Port Washington. We believe the project will help fulfill the goals of the Shared Vision of Port Washington. We would like to point out a few facts:

1) The Bradley will boost our tax rolls. This is important to remember given the current Commercial Property Tax Lawsuit and the impending commercial properties coming off the tax rolls - Thompson Property, Thyphin, Publishers, etc. The Bradley will help replace the tax dollars that the school district is losing.

2) The Bradley will help revitalize Main Street, which has been gradually decaying over the years and by our count has over 15 percent vacant storefronts.

3) The Bradley will attract tourists and out of town dollars to help local businesses. Many boaters plan their trips based on hotel accommodations.

4) The TONH created the Business and Tourism and Development Corporation because of the Visioning and recognized the need to have a hotel. Port Washington used to have seven hotels and was considered the Gold Coast "where Diamond Jim dined."

5) The developers/owners are local residents and business owners and have shown a willingness to listen and work toward solutions.

6) Out of all the permitted uses, the Bradley will generate the least impact on traffic and the greatest benefit to Port Washington.

Thank you for your time and consideration and we would like to see this project built.

Build the Bradley!

Aldo Calabrese

North Hempstead Business Association president