When John Comparetto has a problem, he knows what to do about it. The Gotham Avenue student cares about his hometown Elmont and is doing his level best to make it a better place. Just a few weeks ago, Comparetto wrote a letter to Assemblyman Tom Alfano about some community issues that he wanted to address that bothered him in Elmont and he got some immediate action.

To thank John for his community spirit, Alfano visited Gotham Avenue School and gave him a special State Assembly citation for caring about his neighborhood. "John showed that he can get action just as all of you can if you raise your voice and bring concerns to your local officials," said Assemblyman Alfano.

Comparetto wrote to Alfano about a car wash on Hempstead Turnpike that displayed the American Flag on a fence line. But, workers placed their coats on the flag. Comparetto wanted that changed. He felt that it was not only disrespectful to the country but to the veterans who he has come to know in the community. He also wrote about trash on the Turnpike and his wanting area merchants to clean up in front of their stores. Lastly, he wanted something done about loitering in front of stores.

"I read John's letter and said to myself this has got to get done," said Alfano, who added, "John wrote down his concerns and we got action on them." Alfano also added that Comparetto's concerns are some of the very problems he hears from Civic Groups. "John is bringing to my attention issues that I work on every day. He's doing a great job as a community advocate."

Assistant Principal Dennis Cowan was also proud of John's community activism. "John is one of Gotham's finest students and a real leader in the school," said Cowan.

Alfano called the car wash and talked to the management who agreed and moved the flag so that people couldn't put coats or tools on it during their work. The flag is now up in another area of the business.

To address the Turnpike issue, Alfano talked to representatives of Sanitary District #6 who immediately removed the garbage from the area. Alfano's state grant called "Clean Sweep Co-Op" with GYO and the Elmont Chamber of Commerce also helped address the clean-up in and around the old Argo Theater.

Lastly, Alfano is working with local police to monitor the areas Comparetto wrote about during after-school hours.

Taking part in the assembly were some of Elmont's veterans who also saluted John for his community spirit. "John is a bright young man and Elmont's Veterans thank him," said Commander Tom Bennet of the Elmont VFW.