When only 14 percent of a town's population find it beneficial to join their Civic Association, one has to wonder. When only 40 residents, in a town of more than 18,000, manage to find their way to a Civic Association meeting, one begins to question the viability of both the organization and the community which it serves.

The chitchat, which abounds, suggests that the Civic Association, and its leadership, "rethink" its priorities, Okay. And just what are the priorities of our community? In what direction would you like this town to move? We ask, and ask again. Few respond, and of those who do, most are apt to complain from afar, rather than to offer suggestions, and pitch in for the cause.

The priority of a community -- and of those people and organizations who guide and shape its future -- is to actively pursue excellence. The direction we take should be, must be, always forward. We are either community activists to the core, or we are nothing. There is, and can be, no middle ground, no half measures, no lukewarm commitment to meet the challenges and exceed all expectations.

We have a choice to make on the home front -- we can either be engaged in that which makes our town tick, from hearings at Town Hall to meetings at the Middle School, or we can simply lay down on the ground, roll up into a ball, and wait for our town to slowly die. The latter is an unacceptable, untenable choice. The former, a conscious decision to participate, to immerse oneself in the life of our town, and to belong, in the truest sense of the word, to a community.

I have often said that there are two kinds of people in this world -- those who do, and those who complain about those who do. There is a time to complain, and a time to talk a good game. There is also a time to do. So,

keep up the banter, for talk, as the forebearer of action, is productive. As it concerns the defense of community, however, action is paramount. This is the time to do.

I urge all West Hempsteaders to become active participants in the community building process. Join your Civic Association. Involve yourselves in our community. Make a commitment to the future of our town.

Seth D. Bykofsky

President, West Hempstead Civic Association