New Hyde Park "Save Our Village" Association: Thank you, Senator Craig Johnson!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Thank you, Senator Craig Johnson!

Robert Femminella (SOV President) and Diane Bentivegna (SOV Vice President) had the pleasure of meeting with NY State Senator Craig Johnson and his Chief of Staff, Rafe Lieber on July 18, 2007. During their lengthy and productive discussion, Senator Johnson was presented with an introduction to SOV’s mission as well as a detailed agenda of issues which included a request to obtain an extension of time for the public to comment on the NYSDOT's LITRIM Facility Project so that mainline communities in Western Nassau would have an opportunity to give voice to their concerns about its impact.

Thanks to Senator Johnson’s immediate intervention, the deadline for public comment has now been extended to September 24, 2007. During this critical period in New Hyde Park’s history, SOV New Hyde Park embraces Senator Johnson’s positive support and the work he continues to accomplish on behalf of all the people who reside along the LIRR’s mainline corridor in the 7th District, including those who live in New Hyde Park. As SOV New Hyde Park grows in number, it has learned that establishing direct and collaborative relationships with governmental agencies has been helpful in enhancing the public’s confidence and trust in the services they provide to their constituents. SOV New Hyde Park appreciates this collaborative relationship with Senator Johnson as it continues its work to preserve the suburban quality of life in New Hyde Park.

SOV strongly urges all Western Nassau residents, including those in New Hyde Park, to call, email, or write to elected representatives about their concerns. Additionally, SOV urges all citizens to write directly to the NYSDOT to voice their opposition to this project because it puts the New Hyde Park community, in particular, at serious risk. Send comments directly to LITRIM Project Team, NYSDOT, Region 10, NYS Office Building, 250 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, New York 11788 , (631) 952-6654, E-Mail: longislandintermodal@jacplanning.com.

.:Who are the supporters of this association?:.

We are a group of concerned citizens from New Hyde Park who are committed to “saving our village” from the MTA’s and NYS Dept. of Transportation's current “LIRR Main Line Corridor Improvement Project” and its significant environmental, social, and economic effects on our village’s quality of life.

.:What issues are we addressing?:.

Two simultaneous tasks are proposed by this project proposal which will significantly impact our area by modifying the footprint of the Village of New Hyde Park.

- The Grade Crossing Separation Project eliminates 3 LIRR grade crossings in New Hyde Park. Covert Avenue and New Hyde Park Road will be re-graded to allow commuter and commercial traffic to pass under the existing railroad lines. The South 12th Street LIRR grade crossing will be permanently altered according to one of three proposed plans.

- The Third Rail Track Project calls for a third railroad line into the Village of New Hyde Park for the purposes of increasing railroad traffic through our village.

.:How do these issues affect our community?:.

- The condemnation and elimination of at least 27 residential homes and businesses has been proposed in the Village of New Hyde Park.

- In addition to forcing several homeowners and taxpayers out of our village, all New Hyde Park taxpayers will be additionally challenged with the serious burden of increased school and property taxes brought about by the resulting loss of tax revenue.

- The condemnation and elimination of at least 27 residential homes and businesses has been proposed in the Village of New Hyde Park. - In addition to forcing several homeowners and taxpayers out of our village, all New Hyde Park taxpayers will be additionally challenged with the serious burden of increased school and property taxes brought about by the resulting loss of tax revenue. - Permanent and undesirable effects can be triggered by these proposals: existing traffic routes will be modified which require the redirection of commuter and commercial traffic through our residential neighborhoods, cement retaining walls along roadways will change our suburban appearance and obstruct residents’ access to roadways, mandatory speed limits will be altered, another railroad line will be constructed closer to residential properties, and daily railway traffic will dramatically increase. These changes can cause significant noise pollution, air pollution and vibration, as well. As a result, the health and safety of those who live in our community will be seriously and permanently impacted.

.:What is the mission of this association?:.

We seek to support all NHP homeowners and taxpayers who are directly impacted by railroad expansion projects in our village. We strive to be a strong voice that clearly expresses their interests and represents their needs.

We seek to network with other towns and villages along the mainline corridor and to stand in solidarity with them on the issues related to railroad expansion. Additionally, we seek to encourage ongoing collaborative relationships with all communities in an effort to preserve our quality of life as Long Islanders.

We seek to work with all elected representatives and experts in the fields of environmental science, law, engineering, architecture and others as we explore and recommend viable alternative solutions to railroad expansion.

We seek to protect the future stability of our village by ensuring that all projects planned for our village, now and in the future, preserve our suburban quality of life.

.:What can you do?:.

This is a critical time for our community. Your support is urgently needed! If you are interested in learning more about the cause or for more information, please:

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