As part of a string of community meetings addressing economic development, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi will be coming to West Hempstead High School on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. Suozzi will be holding a public meeting on economic development for the West Hempstead, Franklin Square and Garden City South territories.

This meeting is one of 35 the county executive has been holding to identify areas that could benefit from economic development while also expanding the cash strapped county's tax base. The first meeting was held in February in Elmont.

The county executive said he is interested in what community members in West Hempstead, Franklin Square and Garden City South have to say. "We want to sit down with local officials and residents so they can help us understand what makes sense for their neighborhood and what doesn't. After all, they know their areas the best," he said.

One issue that is sure to come up at this meeting in the issue of the Courtesy Hotel and the revitalization of Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead.

Members of the West Hempstead Civic Association have been lobbying for the Town of Hempstead to shut down the Courtesy Hotel in favor of senior housing and a revitalization of the entire area, which would include something other than storage facilities.

Another issue that may come up is Hall Pond Park. Although the subject of the park may not be within the realm of economic development, it is a county park and some residents are concerned about the way the park has deteriorated.

According to former West Hempstead Civic Association president Seth Bykofsky, the pond, once considered a community treasure, has been littered with garbage, debris and what looks like raw sewage.

Also, the gazebo in the park lies in ruin, the slats in the wooden benches are rotting and the bird sanctuary established by local Girl Scouts in the wooded area north of the park is littered and trashed, according to Bykofsky.

As far as Franklin Square goes, a subject of concern could be the Genzale Superfund Site, located at 288 New Hyde Park Road. Another subject of discussion could be a way to stimulate business on Hempstead Turnpike.

West Hempstead High School is located at 400 Nassau Boulevard in West Hempstead.