New Hyde Park "Save Our Village" Association: News Update

Friday, November 9, 2007

News Update

SOV New Hyde Park Association wishes to extend its thanks to the New Hyde Park Illustrated News for its comprehensive coverage of our recent community presentation, "Citizens vs. the Threat of Eminent Domain". We strongly encourage all supporters and interested citizens to purchase the Nov. 9th edition of the paper and read it carefully. This article can also be found on the Anton News website at http://www.antonnews.com/illustratednews/

New Hyde Park-Garden City Park residents are also invited to view Cablevision's Channel 115 every Thursday evening from 8-10PM for a program entitled "NHP-GCP Issues and Topics." In addition to other important issues, SOV's recent community presentation, "Citizens vs. the Threat of Eminent Domain," will be shown in its entirety on Thursday, Nov. 15th and Nov 22nd. This public access program is produced and directed by an independent New Hyde Park citizen.

News coverage and information about SOV's community presentation can also be read in the Nov. 2nd edition of the New Hyde Park Herald Courier.

SOV New Hyde Park Association wishes to express our sincerest appreciation to our local newspapers and public access channels for helping us in our mission to provide our neighbors with accurate information about issues which effect our suburban quality of life.

.: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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