Plans for the hotel on Lower Main St. are on hold, but the site will certainly be developed. Already severe traffic and parking problems will be increased. While these demand adequate parking plans for future development, they have been absent.

If future builders are considering the Town Dock and the small parking area on Shore Road, it must be made clear to the Town of North Hempstead that these are public parking facilities. Louie's Restaurant's numerous patrons are already using these areas. Our tax dollars are subsidizing private enterprises!

It is significant that Bar Beach Park and Hempstead Harbor Beach Park require entrance fees or annual windshield stickers, whereas anyone from anywhere can and does park in our lots at our expense. A security officer was on the Town Dock a few years ago checking for North Hempstead residency. This is again needed, or an electronic scanner and a fee for nonresidents, or metered parking.

It is simply wrong for taxpayers to be subsidizing private businesses.

Joseph R. Valinoti