SENATOR JOHNSON ADVOCATES FOR MAINLINE COMMUNITIES

This week Mrs. Helena Williams announced that the public hearings regarding The Third Track Project will likely take place in Spring, 2008. Upon hearing this announcement, the officers of SOV took immediate note of Ms. Williams' comments and responded to countless calls about her message. Additionally, we are happy to report that Senator Craig Johnson, once again, remembered our plight and immediately advocated for citizens' direct communication with Mrs. Williams regarding the "pair of options" which she referred to in her announcement. We invite all our supporters and interested citizens to read Senator Johnson's letter below:

November 15, 2007

Helena Williams
President, Long Island Rail Road
Jamaica Station
Jamaica, NY 11435-4380

Dear Ms. Williams:

I read with great interest an article in Newsday today regarding your plans for the Third Track. As you know from meetings I have had with you since you became LIRR President, I am vehemently opposed to the Third Track project until the MTA / LIRR presents a clear and honest plan that meets with the approval of local residents, civic leaders and government officials. One aspect of the article which stood out to me the most was your quote – “A pair of options for the Long Island Rail Road's plan to establish a third track along a 10-mile stretch of its Main Line will be unveiled at a series of public hearings this spring.” This is welcome news and I appreciate your willingness to allow the residents who could be most adversely affected by the plan to let their voices be heard.

To that end, I respectfully request that you hold a series of public meetings in close proximity to the following communities in my Senate district - Bellerose, Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Garden City Park, Carle Place, Mineola, Westbury and Hicksville. The residents of these communities will bear the brunt of any plans you put forward and therefore deserve as many chances as possible to speak their minds.

I also request that you give local civic groups an opportunity to host meetings for their members with representatives from the MTA / LIRR in attendance. There are a number of local groups in my district who have taken a keen interest in the Third Track project and one of their biggest complaints, which I share, has been the lack of direct communication from the MTA / LIRR to the community about the true nature of the project. I would be happy to help set these meetings up and I offer my assistance in any way that will help bring about a new, open dialog between the MTA / LIRR and the residents who have made their homes and raised their families along the main line corridor.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my request. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Craig M. Johnson, Senator, 7th District

The officers of Save Our Village eagerly await to hear of a response to Senator Johnson's plea. We believe that Mrs. Williams will quickly learn firsthand that the officers and supporters of Save Our Village are civic-minded and hardworking homeowners and taxpayers who are ready and willing to work cooperatively with her to address the issues brought about by the Third Track Project and the three At-Grade Crossings Elimination Projects proposed in New Hyde Park.

Senator Johnson continues to demonstrate to us that he remains a strong advocate for the working citizens of all the mainline communities throughout the 7th district. We applaud his proactive participation in encouraging direct communication between Mrs. Williams and the "mainline" citizens who remain concerned about future stability of their neighborhoods.