Letter: ‘Building Parking Garage at LIRR Station Would Be a Mistake’

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

Building a parking garage at the railroad station in Port Washington would be a mistake for at least three reasons:

Safety: It is obvious that a parking garage would be less safe than the current parking lot. While some of the safety issues would impact commuters, the brunt of the safety problems would be borne by the Port Washington residents who use the station at the quiet times – late in the evening and on weekends. These users include our seniors going to see a Broadway show, families with kids watching a game at Citi Field and young people enjoying a night out in New York City. Right now they come back to a wide-open, easily observed parking lot. It would be very different coming back to a deserted, enclosed garage. Perhaps the safety problems could be mitigated to some extent, but security would cost money, which is not something we have in abundance right now.

Letter: Feels Parking Garage Will Ease Congestion

To those who think a parking garage would add to the congestion in the area: Think again.

If you can’t park, someone  has to make two round-trips a day to drop you off and pick you up. If you can park, you only go to and from the station once. That means 50 percent less traffic created by those people. So, instead of waiting “four changes of light” you might only have to wait two, maybe less, considering the cars sitting around waiting for the train to come in.

S. W. Orehek

Letter: Port’s Already Rejected Idea of Tiered Parking

If my memory serves me correctly, the people of Port Washington rejected the idea of a tiered parking system at the LIRR Station over 20 years ago. The Port Washington Police Department and Fire Department also rejected the idea. I suggested that Councilman Pollack and Supervisor Jon Kaiman think twice before they decide to spend $64,000 per parking space. They may find that the people of Port Washington will have their say on Election Day.

Marty Walsh

Letter: Why Can’t Port Washington Be More Like Port Jefferson?

Last weekend my wife and I joined with friends for a visit to Port Jefferson. It was a beautiful way to spend the day. We walked along the waterfront, visited several beautiful shops, ate dinner at a lovely waterfront restaurant, and finished up with some delicious homemade ice cream. The town was packed with visitors from all over the Island all enjoying the day. The local businesses and restaurants were crowded. There were several local parking lots to handle the traffic. A beautiful waterfront hotel seemed to be humming as well. But then, we drove home to Port Washington, where our residents and politicians seem to want to discourage outsiders from visiting. Our town established a visioning committee a while back. Two of their key recommendations were a hotel and increased parking. We turned down a request for a waterfront hotel and now seem to be moving toward rejecting a badly needed parking garage because it might be used by outsiders and create too much traffic. How many empty storefronts and half empty restaurants do we need before we realize that the answer to our problems is making Port Washington more like Port Jefferson? Let us make it a destination for visitors and not just a bedroom community. For goodness sake, we have the waterfront, the restaurants, the shops, and even the ice cream parlors. Now all we need is the vision and the political will to make it happen.

Larry Helft

Letter: Opposed to Parking Garage At the LIRR Proposal

Opposed to Parking Garage At the LIRR Proposal

Many Port Washington residents join me in urging the Port Washington Public Parking District, Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Councilman Fred Pollack and the Town Council to explore alternative options to easing traffic and parking problems before resorting to the proposed construction of a large, unattractive, expensive and potentially dangerous three-story parking garage in the center of Port Washington.

Why does the Parking District and Mr. Kaiman refer to this as a “two and a half story” structure.  There is not going to be a “half story” for parking.  Although part of the garage will be two stories, half will be three stories, therefore it is a three-story garage.

Letter: No More Excuses-Build The Garage!

No More Excuses-Build The Garage!

I live in Port Washington and I work in NYC. The LIRR is the lifeblood of our community and there is serious need for parking spaces. There are always critics who don’t like change  - to the lady who wrote in last week’s ‘letter to the editor’ to suggest other options than a garage  - I say nonsense!  I applaud Jon Kaiman, Fred Pollack, and the Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington for the careful planning and desire to create a vision for the future. The garage will benefit our entire community by shifting badly needed spaces from other areas which will serve all our needs – the commuters, the shoppers, the business owners, tourists, etc… Talk is cheap – Let]s make this parking garage a reality.

Andy Hauss

Letter: Loves ‘Live’ Hanging Baskets on Main Street

Kudos are in order for Roy Smitheimer and the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District for the lovely, LIVE hanging planters that adorn Main Street’s light poles.

These flower baskets are a far cry from the unsightly plastic pots that had previously been in place. This may be one small step for the environment, but it’s a giant step for the town’s ambiance.

Barbara Mallon

Letter: Wants to Explore Options Other Than Tiered Parking

Many residents share my hopes that Jon Kaiman, Fred Pollack and the Town Council will decide to explore alternative options to easing traffic and parking problems before resorting to the proposed construction of a large, unattractive, expensive and potentially dangerous three-story parking garage in the center of Port Washington.

I don’t know why the members of the Town Council continue to call this a “two and a half story” structure. It is a misnomer to call it 2-1/2 stories; there is not going to be a “half story” for parking. Although part of the garage will be two stories, half will be three stories therefore it is a three story garage.

Letter: Vote Yes for School Budget

So the vultures are circling the children of Port Washington once again. This time armed with a horrendous economic condition. Don’t allow these consistent anti-school budget nay-sayers to influence your vote.

It is hard enough to sell a house in today’s difficult times. Imagine trying to do so in a community that votes against its children? What a shortsighted, foolish thing to do.

Increase Too High/All Salaries Should Be Frozen…Voting No on Budget

No one has to be reminded of the economic times we are experiencing. So why then is our school board putting forth a budget increase of more than $2.5 million? What departments are receiving our dollars? Is it salary increases?

I urge parents to get more involved in understanding exactly how our tax dollars are being spent and how increases now are not necessary.