After nearly 10 rewarding years of serving my community as a library trustee, it's time for me to resign, effective Oct. 1. As I am now traveling extensively year round, I will not be able to honor my commitment any longer.

I have been active in my community for some 40-odd years, from the PTA through the Greater Westbury Arts Council, the Westbury Neighborhood Association and the Westbury Historical Society as well as the library board. It's now time for me to move on in a different direction and make room for younger, fresher thinking and actions.

It has been a pleasure working with Director Cathleen Towey these last few years. Her foresight, innovations, marketing and communication skills are much needed major strengths. Under her direction we have become the flagship library for Nassau and Suffolk Counties and I feel certain that you will continue to support her and our exceptional staff as we continue to move ahead with the times.

I will certainly remain in touch with the board and Cathleen, especially in light of the ongoing litigation with Joan Boes. Please know that you can count on me for whatever you deem necessary. I wish you all good luck and continued success as I'm on my happy trails.

Today it seems as if change is everywhere. Many positive property developments are happening in the Carle Place community. These developments will expand our community tax base without encroaching on our residential areas and these increased revenues can be used to hold down future property tax increases for the schools, library, etc.

The Country Glen Shopping Center on Old Country Road west of Glen Cove Road will be reconfigured with a two-story Barnes & Nobles and a Stop & Shop supermarket. An additional 21,000-square feet of retail space will be added to the tax rolls. Its proximity to the Fairhaven apartment complex may encourage pedestrian traffic to this mall instead of the use of cars. The town government and developer are currently exploring this possibility.

Our favorite partisan issue, the BOCES (Old EJ Korvettes) building on Westbury Avenue west of Glen Cove Road is still in the process of being redeveloped. The Town of North Hempstead has stated emphatically that there will be no housing built on this site. I am advocating a professional office building, which will add no traffic at night or on the weekends. Such a structure, properly landscaped, will greatly expand our tax base while preserving the suburban feel of our community.

Senior housing units will be built at the corner of Carle Road and Westbury Avenue. Our community's worst eyesores, the barracks-style housing along Westbury Avenue and the dirty empty lot facing Carle Road, will be vastly improved.

I have been told that the developer of the Albraco Metals property along Westbury Avenue has still not decided what to do with the property. A 7-Eleven style store has been proposed as well as an office building. Given that the location is bordered on three sides by residences, it is my opinion that single family housing or apartments would best fit the area. The new office building at the corner of Cherry Lane and Mineola Avenue is complete and seeking tenants.

Even with these positive developments, there are some problem areas to watch that affect Carle Place. The Town of Hempstead is building over 700 housing units south of Old Country Road. The Town of Hempstead administration seems to forget or doesn't care that we live on the north side of Old Country Road and their unfettered development negatively affects our community. The Village of Westbury has over 200 housing units being built on Westbury Avenue near Post Avenue (the old Apple Annie's) and Post Avenue by the railroad station (the old Piping Rock). This development may generate traffic that uses Carle Place as a "cut-through" to avoid other areas of traffic congestion. Lastly, we need to watch Charles Wang's urban development proposal for the Coliseum area. Although bold and interesting, his plan, if approved, could signal the beginning of the "Manhattanization" of Nassau County, starting with our broad area.

Please take the time to call your local elected officials in the village, town and county and tell them how you feel about these developments and problem areas. Only the individual input of us all has the chance of influencing their actions for our community's benefit.

Governor George Pataki has designated the week of Oct. 25 to Oct. 29 as School Board Recognition Week. This is the 13th year this event has been celebrated. In order to recognize the trustees of the Carle Place School District, the Carle Place PTA Council would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the dedicated members of our board of education for their tireless efforts.

A school board trustee spends endless hours on the job. This requires someone who is not only dedicated, but is also willing to make great personal sacrifices. In addition to concerning themselves with the administration of the district, our board trustees are highly visible members of our community, attending many sporting events, musical concerts, award ceremonies and a variety of other school functions.

We extend our gratitude to our current board of education: Tom Kane, Barry Dennis, Larry Zaino, Peter Meade and Peter Fitzgerald, as well as the many members who came before them. Their efforts help make our district the truly special place it is for our students, parents and staff.

As an expression of our appreciation, the Carle Place PTA Council has donated $100 to the Carle Place Educational on behalf of the board of education.

After nearly 10 rewarding years of serving my community as a library trustee, it's time for me to resign, effective Oct. 1. As I am now traveling extensively year round, I will not be able to honor my commitment any longer.

I have been active in my community for some 40-odd years, from the PTA through the Greater Westbury Arts Council, the Westbury Neighborhood Association and the Westbury Historical Society as well as the library board. It's now time for me to move on in a different direction and make room for younger, fresher thinking and actions.

It has been a pleasure working with Director Cathleen Towey these last few years. Her foresight, innovations, marketing and communication skills are much needed major strengths. Under her direction we have become the flagship library for Nassau and Suffolk Counties and I feel certain that you will continue to support her and our exceptional staff as we continue to move ahead with the times.

I will certainly remain in touch with the board and Cathleen, especially in light of the ongoing litigation with Joan Boes. Please know that you can count on me for whatever you deem necessary. I wish you all good luck and continued success as I'm on my happy trails.