Once more we are back to continuing the continuance of public hearings on the former BOCES property for a zone change. It seems no matter what the people of Carle Place say, either at public meetings, public hearings, civic association meetings, emails and phone calls, nobody seems to be able to hear the resounding no to this proposed zone change.

This begs the question why is the Town of North Hempstead pushing so hard for this zone change even in the face of a petition signed by now more than 2,000 people in the affected area. After the first submission of a petition of 600 opposing the zone change on Sept. 12, the petition has just gathered momentum and this does not seem to be what the town wants to hear. So now we get to have more meetings to tell them the same thing again and again.

Rumor has it that people who sign the petition are against seniors and this could not be further from the truth. They are our parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts. It is well known that in Carle Place many generations of families live in town. So why would anybody be against them living in the community? The petition simply and clearly opposes a zone change.

A website has been set up at www.carleplace.homestead.com to inform and update community members of events in and around town. Amongst other things the website has various links to keep the people informed and direct links and email addresses to our Town of North Hempstead officials.

Lastly I will say this: Stay informed, get involved and have your voices heard.

Edmond Rice