Letter: Mixed-Use Zoning, RFMBPW, and Main Street

Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington, with the Business Improvement District are presuming to save the empty storefronts on Main Street by creating there mixed commercial-residential use zoning. What might this result in?

It is a given that Main Street can only support a certain number of enterprises. This is due to a dense yet finite local population, walking distances, and local income diversity. Main Street cannot be another “Miracle Mile.” Neither can it, nor should it have to compete with major shopping malls and unwanted big box stores. The marketable commodity here is convenience. Viable businesses, for these reasons, are limited to restaurants, specialty goods, beauty salons, service stores, banks, convenience stores, and real estates. The total number that can be supported is determined by the general economy, the local incomes, the available population, and competition from near and elsewhere.

From the Desk of Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel: January 18, 2012

Response to the Governor’s State of the State Address

“Among a sea of blue you may have spotted me in a bright pink suit on television last week during the Governor’s State of the State address. Governor Andrew Cuomo officially kicked off the 2012 legislative session by presenting the State Legislature with a bold plan to get New York back on track.

“As I listened to Governor Cuomo’s speech, I overheard my colleagues expressing enthusiasm for his plan. I share their excitement about the Governor’s vision for New York and will work with him this session to make it a reality.

“The Governor’s economic development plan to build the nation’s largest convention center at Aqueduct and to retransform the Javits Center site into a Battery Park City development will help stimulate the economy and create jobs. His proposal to establish an infrastructure and repair fund will provide the resources the state needs to make improvements and updates to the state’s parks, historic sites, roadways, bridges, and tunnels.

Letter: Response to Joan Kent’s Letter

We were delighted read the wonderful letter from Joan Kent in the Dec. 15 issue. In her letter, Joan used the expression “they don’t build them like that any more.” That sentiment is best directed at Joan herself.

During her decades as a Port Washington resident, Joan has been a dedicated force for good for our community—whether serving the library, the Cow Neck Historical Society, or the other organizations to which she gave generously of her time and talents. Port residents are richer for having had Joan among us for so many years, and just a little bit poorer today without her living in town.

Letter: A Thank You From PW Children’s Center

The Port Washington Children’s Center would like to extend its appreciation to our friends at the Berest Dance Center, the “Making Spirits Bright” dancers, and especially the families of the dancers, for selecting our organization as recipient of its 2011 Holiday Toy Drive. Traditionally, guests attending Berest’s annual performance are asked to donate new unwrapped toys which are then distributed to a nonprofit organization that provides programs or services to children. PWCC was so happy to be selected by Olga Berest this past holiday season and was thrilled to receive six large bags filled with a variety of educational and fun toys meant for children of all ages. The Port Washington Children’s Center was established in 1977 as a non-profit, non-sectarian childcare center, licensed by New York State Office of Children and Family Services, to provide high quality child care for families that reside or work in the community of Port Washington.

Letter: The Alarmingly Dangerous Impacts of Fracking on Health

 As representatives of many voices in the breast cancer community on Long Island, our coalition urges Governor Cuomo to ban hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in New York State since 25 percent of chemicals used in the fracking process have been demonstrated to cause cancer or mutations. Hydrofracking companies use products containing 13 different known and suspected carcinogens. Two of those carcinogens, benzene and ethylene oxide are linked with breast cancer as cited recently by a report released by the Institute of Medicine.

Moreover, 37 percent of chemicals in fracking fluids are endocrine disruptors which alter hormonal signaling and in doing so can place cells on the pathway to tumor formation. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals has been implicated in cancers of the breast, prostate, pituitary, testicle, and ovary.

Letter: The Nassau-Veolia Partnership

Last week [This letter was received Dec. 20], the Nassau County Legislature unanimously approved a contract that is the basis for a public-private operating partnership between the county and Veolia Transportation to operate the new Nassau Inter-County Express, or NICE, bus system. But, of even greater significance is that Nassau took a key step toward forming a true county transit system.

Prior to voting, the legislature worked closely with the county executive to insert numerous amendments to the original contract that create more public involvement on proposed future adjustments to the system. The contract spells out how the county will for the first time assume control over its own bus system, including fares, service levels, service plans, and annual operating budget.

Letter: Even With Care, Fracking Is Wrong for New York

Recent Op-Ed pieces in prominent newspapers have suggested that with proper regulatory oversight, hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” can be accomplished safely in New York, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and bringing much needed economic benefits to hard-hit areas of the state. If the issue was that simple, and if the statements were true, surely everyone would be in favor.

But the facts don’t support these statements, and the issue is not as simple as the TV ads would have citizens believe. Fracking is an inherently dangerous and destructive extreme form of energy extraction that brings with it a myriad of serious environmental and economic problems. Now that we have the opportunity to see how fracking has actually impacted citizens in Pennsylvania and other states, we can more easily distinguish fact from fantasy and make smarter choices for New York.

Letter: Thank You From Alper’s Hardware

All of us at Alper’s Hardware would like to thank everyone who helped make 2011 a memorable year as we celebrated our 100th anniversary. The loyalty of our customers and the support of the community are always very humbling and appreciated. Our yearlong celebration was made special by the many thanks and congratulations we’ve received along the way. Some of the highlights include recognition by the Town of North Hempstead in naming the corner of Main Street and Irma Avenue “Alper’s Corner,” Myron Blumenfeld generously honoring us by sponsoring a concert at the P.W. Public Library and the support of the hundreds of people who attend our annual charity event, Karmacue, which benefits The Community Chest. To everyone who shopped, supported and congratulated us this year, we extend our deepest thanks and gratitude.

Trees in Baxter Estates

Recently, I and my neighbors on Hilltop Road received a letter from the Village of Baxter Estates informing us that over a dozen mature trees lining our street were going to be cut down “for public safety.” There was no explanation of how our safety was at risk, or why such a drastic action was required. Calling and emailing Village Hall to get a more complete understanding has yielded no explanation.

I and my neighbors want to understand why these trees must be removed.

Port Washington Voice

The Port Washington Voice would like to extend our thanks to the community of Port Washington and surrounding towns for your tremendously positive response to the formation of our new citizens’ group and to our petition against the proposed four-story, mixed-use rezoning of Main Street. Signatures against the rezoning are still being gathered and will be presented to the town early in the New Year. A link to the petition is available on our website.

We are a grassroots group of local residents, who have become increasingly concerned about a series of developments and projects that have been proposed in Port Washington over the past several years. These concepts, including important aspects of the newest Model Blocks Project, threaten the scale, sense of place, and the quality of life in Port Washington. Our organization is not against change - just the kind of new developments that would render our neighborhoods unrecognizable to us and indistinguishable from other newly built towns. Join us at our inaugural meeting at the firehouse on Haven Avenue on January 14 at 10 a.m. Membership is free.