ONLINE EDITION FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2001

Opinion

What is a life worth in Nassau County?

Not very much when you are trying to deal with the Nassau County Public Works Department and Traffic Engineering.

Commissioner Joseph Pecora, Raymond Ribiero and various police officials were warned back in December 2000 of the unacceptable traffic conditions that existed on Salisbury Park Drive in Westbury. At that time, the newly formed East Meadow Traffic Safety Committee met with the above mentioned and reviewed the statistics of the deaths and traffic accidents that occurred on that strip. Members of the committee submitted recommendations that were well thought out and based upon their professional careers and consultants in traffic management. These were not outrageous demands. The last meeting ended with Mr. Pecora's assurance of an answer by Aug. 19.

The deadline came and went and there was no response from Commissioner Pecora.

Delaying improvements on "The Corridor of Death" (Newsday's words, April 15, not ours) can only result in more death and mayhem. If the answer is to save on the cost of a bucket of paint and a few signs and then delaying until next year when it becomes someone else's problem isn't even cost effective as I'll be available for any deposition.

We lost another young lady last Sunday on Salisbury Park Drive. What difference does it matter statistically. Nobody's listening. Whose child will be the next victim? I wonder how those responsible and who are doing nothing, can sleep.

We are still waiting for Commissioner Pecora's decision.