Approximately 20 members of the Prospect Avenue Business Association (PABA) met with Commissioner Donald Campbell of Nassau County Department of Housing and Intergovernmental affairs and Kevin D. Saunders, executive director of the Community Development Agency of North Hempstead at a breakfast meeting at Harvest Diner to discuss Operation Downtown and Prospect Ave., New Cassel.

The Sept. 29 meeting was requested by PABA for the purpose of expressing concerns the Prospect Ave. business community has about improving the quality of life in New Cassel.

The organization's wishes and ideas were verbalized by John V. Brown, chairman of the association. Photographs from other communities that have benefitted from or are presently involved in Operation Downtown were shown. Campbell and Saunders were both receptive and answered all questions in depth.

Campbell further explained the mechanics of the operation and its workings with the town to complete the overall plan, such as lighting, street-scaping, and beautification, as well as facade improvement. He then said he had given the PABA the "who, what, and how, and all that is lacking is when." He added, "Operation Downtown on Prospect Ave. will begin in October."

It was emphasized that an improved business community will ensure a strong residential community. Brown said as the meeting came to a close, "When local businesses prosper, the surrounding residential property values increase and the entire hamlet of New Cassel will benefit."