It wasn’t so long ago that you could be arrested for loitering or taking topsoil from village property in East Williston.

In fact, there was the remote possibility that it could have happened last week. But that all changed at Monday night’s village board meeting, when Deputy Mayor James Daw Jr. proposed that all parts of the village code calling for jail sentences for minor infractions be eliminated.

“Some of the things which we had a penalty of incarceration for were completely inappropriate, such as peddling,” Daw said.

The other three board members who were present unanimously agreed. And after what may have been the shortest public hearing in the village’s history, they made the prospect of being locked for loitering a thing of the past.

Of course, as Daw pointed out, there was quite a sensible reason for recasting the village code, aside from its draconian aspects.

“We don’t have a village jail,” Daw noted.

The new local law approved by the trustees stated, summarily, “incarceration shall not be a provision of the village code.” Daw added that it “means jail is out, but the fine is still in.”

Speaking about the recent blizzard, he made particular mention of a seasonal offense that also could draw a fine. Daw said the village will send a “friendly reminder” to residents who don’t clear their sidewalks after the next snowfall. But the next time the residents who receive those notices don’t get their snow shovels out, he said they’d receive a ticket.

“If you really can’t do it, get a neighbor to help you, or some community-minded kids from one of the schools,” he suggested. “It has to be done.”

On another snowstorm-related issue, Daw said that the three members of the East Williston Department of Public Works – who he described as “dynamos” in clearing the village streets of snow – encountered teenagers strolling in the streets who were barely visible during the blizzard.

“If you have adolescents in the house, please ask them not to walk in the street. And if they hear the snow plow coming, tell them to get out of the way,” Daw said.

On another serious snowfall issue, Trustee Michael Braito asked that residents clear the area around fire hydrants in front of their houses.

“It’s a benefit to you and a benefit to your neighbors,” Braito said

Turning to a high-tech topic, Braito said he was seeking to recruit a college student “to bring our website into the next century.” The objective, Braito said was to enable residents to secure different types of permits online and transmit e-mails back to village officials, making the website “much more interactive.”

Noting the difference between snow removal in East Williston and parts of New York City, Mayor Nancy Zolezzi advised residents to send a message to Gov. Andrew Cuomo about the legislation he drafted before taking office that would make it easier to consolidate or eliminate villages.

“The new governor has made it his mission to eliminate villages. It’s important to let him know you like living in a village,” she said.

Commenting on the potential impact of Cuomo’s proposed 2 percent property tax cap, Braito wondered whether municipalities could expect to get a break from the state on mandates for which they foot the bill.

“One of the big questions we have is if they’re going to eliminate the unfunded mandates,” he said.

Daw suggested it was politics as usual.

“They do it all the time,” he said. “They float these great ideas.”

Herricks school administrators may be willing to consider salary concessions to ease the impending budgetary crunch, according to Herricks School Board President Christine Turner.

Turner said at last week’s board meeting that she had recently met with Karen Hughes, head of the Herricks Association of Administrators and Supervisors, and reported encouraging results from that meeting.

“As we move forward in the budgetary process, [HAAS] have said they are willing to work with us,” Turner said.

Turner indicated that the school board had received no such signal from the Herricks teachers association, and talks with the administrators are at a very preliminary stage.

Turner also made it clear that the board is already tightening its financial belt, anticipating the difficulty it will face in drafting a budget in light of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed 2 percent cap on local tax levies statewide, and rising costs.

To avoid the attendant cost of layoffs, Turner said the school board is trying to keep down personnel costs.

“We’re basically undergoing a job freeze,” Turner said.

In response to a question from one resident about eliminating overtime pay, Herricks Superintendent of Schools John Bierwirth said the school district is incurring overtime costs “on a much more restricted basis” to conserve funds.

“We’re not doing overtime unless we have to,” Bierwirth said.

Bierwirth said that the board is concurrently working on two budget plans – one that would maintain the current level of programs and services in the district, and another assuming the 2 percent tax cap, which would require $6.5 million in cuts from the budget.

“There would be an 8 percent increase in the budget if we maintained programs and services,” he said.

After the meeting, Bierwirth said that the $6.5 million budget cut the district may face would mean “dozens” of teaching positions are eliminated.

During the meeting, resident Jim Gounaris suggested the board should attempt to open a dialogue with the district’s school teachers.

“Some conversation is better than no conversation,” said Gounaris, who added that he didn’t mind the idea of spending money to pay unemployment benefits to cut salary costs. “I don’t care about paying $1 million for unemployment to save $7 million in salary.”

Bierwirth said student enrollment in the Herricks district has been stable, “stopped dead in its tracks” by the housing crisis.

When resident Joseph Heery suggested the administration focus on eliminating “middle management positions” such as guidance counselors, Bierwirth said such a move would have a direct consequence for students.

“We can take out guidance counselors, but then we wouldn’t be able to provide the same level of guidance services,” he said.

Bierwirth revealed that he and other school superintendents in the area have been working with state Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel (D-Great Neck) to come up with ways to relief the financial pressure.

“These are difficult times and everyone is struggling. We understand what $5 million in cuts means,” said Jonai Singh, co-president of the Herricks Parent-Teachers Association. “Our kids are going to be impacted no matter what.”

Addressing a recent request from the Herricks Middle School Student Council to upgrade their schools playing fields, Bierwrrth said, “There’s no way we’re going to be able to do that whole field,” adding that the district could “top-dress” the fields to fix the surfaces.

The school district had been anticipating some grant money from the state to redo the middle school baseball fields. If those grants don’t come, Bierwirth said the district has $3.2 million in unrestricted reserve funds that it could use.

With Village of East Williston Mayor Nancy Zolezzi and Deputy Mayor James Daw Jr. deciding not to run for re-election, Trustee David Tanner announced Monday his candidacy for mayor as part of a three-person slate.

Tanner is running on a Community Party ticket with Chamber of Commerce of the Willistons President Bobby Shannon and Bonnie Parente, a lawyer. They were both asked to run for office by Tanner.

The prospective changing of the guard is also prompted by Daw’s decision to step down along with Zolezzi, who has held her office for 10 years. Daw has been a trustee for a total of 16 years, serving on the board from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2000 to the present.

“We got everything done that we wanted to do. It’s time for some new blood,” Zolezzi said.

Zolezzi cited the construction of the new East Williston Village Hall as one of her principle accomplishments as mayor, along with the resurfacing of roads in the village.

Daw said he had certain objectives he wanted to help achieve during his last 10 years, including the road resurfacing and the re-establishment of the Village Court in the new village hall.

“The time ‘round I wanted to see some things through. I saw them through and decided it was time for younger voices to be heard,” Daw said.

Knowing that Zolezzi and Daw were both stepping down, Tanner said he thought he should “step up” and assume a greater role on the board as mayor of the village. Zolezzi has credited Tanner with playing an instrumental role in developing the master plan for upgrading East Williston’s downtown and its new village hall. Tanner cites his 13 years of experience on the board as a prime reason that he is ready to assume the new role.

Shannon, 37, said he was not contemplating running for office this year before being asked by Tanner, but was pleased with the opportunity to become more deeply involved in the life of the community

“In East Williston, you see a community that cares, a very traditional community. I’d like to take an active role. I like being involved,” Shannon said. “I like being part of what we have.”

As to his goals, Shannon emphasized maintaining the nature of the community as it is.

“I want to continue making this a safe place. I want to make sure the taxes stay low and to make sure there’s a predictable economic plan for the village,” Shannon said.

Shannon said he also wanted to create more activities in the village for teenagers, and more activities that would bring everyone in the village together.

Parente, 41, a mother of two children, echoed Shannon’s opinion on that point.

“I agree with him. I think it’s the tween-teen years that need to be addressed,” she said.

In a broader context Parente said her objective is “to take issues that polarize our village and address them in a democratic and systematic way.”

A director of human resources for the New York Racing Association, Parente said she feels her experience there would serve her as a trustee. In 2008, she was appointed as an alternate to the East Williston Board of Zoning and Appeals and in 2010 was selected as a representative on the St. Aidan’s Parish Council.

Shannon said he didn’t anticipate any opposition candidates running against Tanner, Parente and himself.

The village election is scheduled for March 15. Other candidates may file petitions to register for the election by mid-February.

Dear Resident,

I am writing to you as I have done in the past, asking for your vote in our upcoming East Williston Village election on March 15, 2011.

This time however, my request is a little different. I am seeking the position of mayor.

As many of you may already know, in December our current mayor, Nancy Zolezzi announced that she would not be seeking a fourth term. Deputy Mayor James Daw also announced that he would not be running for re-election.

After some careful thought, I realized the best way I could continue to serve the village was to step-up, dedicate more time and serve as mayor, thereby making way for a new generation of village leaders, to start serving as trustee.

I have asked Bonnie Parente and Bobby Shannon to run with me and serve as incoming village trustees. Bonnie grew up in Mineola and currently serves on our Village Board of Zoning Appeals and as a leader in the Girl Scouts. Bobby grew-up in Williston Park and serves as an East Williston Little League coach and Cub Scout leader. Both are attorneys. We look forward to having the entire village get to know us better, as we go door to door these upcoming weeks before election day.

The expansion of our village office, and my experience on the board over the past 13 years, will enable me, as mayor, to work with our village office staff to provide even better “customer service” to you, the residents.

I hope you agree that serving with the current village board, our accomplishments have been significant: establishing a village court, repaving every village road and devising a master plan for the redevelopment of our downtown and village hall facilities, to mention a few.

Our mayor has been gracious enough to credit me as the catalyst for the master plan redevelopment and providing the financial acumen, which allowed us to judiciously invest in these projects.

In closing, let me first thank our Mayor Nancy Zolezzi for her service and continued support. I have said it several times privately and now say it publicly, “You are one tough act to follow!” Secondly, let me once again ask you, our residents for your support and vote for the team on March 15, 2011. I cannot be elected without your vote, nor can I succeed as mayor without your valuable input and support. Although having learned a great deal these past 13 years serving as village trustee, there is always more to learn.

Thank you.

David E. Tanner, Village Trustee and Candidate for Mayor

East Williston

My name is Bonnie Parente and I am announcing my candidacy for East Williston village trustee.

I am a resident of East Williston and have been since 2003 but I did not arrive in East Williston by accident or by chance; I chose East Williston. I grew up in nearby Mineola and have always admired the beautifully manicured lawns and quiet streets in the neighboring village of East Williston. My husband, Kevin, and I knew early on that this is where we wanted to raise our family.

Now that there exists an opportunity to serve my village as village trustee, I am asking for the support of my neighbors and fellow residents as I announce my candidacy.

I am honored to be running for office with Trustee Dave Tanner, who will seek the position of Mayor, and Bobby Shannon, who will be seeking one of two Trustee seats being vacated.

When people ask me why I want to run for village trustee, the answer is simple: I believe in serving my community and in March there will be an opportunity to do so. With two of our experienced board members choosing not to run for re-election, East Williston needs new members and I come with the background, experience, and the education to fill the position.

By way of history, I was born and raised in Mineola where I resided for over 30 years. My parents, Louis and Patricia Santosus, were very active in our community, and my father served for many years as a Mineola Village trustee so I know firsthand the commitment required to effectively serve as trustee.

I attended the Mineola public schools and attended Hofstra University, earning a business degree in finance. I continued my education at Touro Law School and earned my law degree. In 1998, I married my husband, Kevin, in St. Aidan’s church. Kevin is a school teacher at Chaminade High School. We moved to East Williston in 2003 where we currently reside with our two children, Emma (age 11) and Kevin Jr. (age 9).

I have practiced law since 1994 with a specialization in the field of labor and employment, first working in private practice and then as in-house labor manager for Newsday. I currently work for the New York Racing Association as director of human resources. My experience in law and human resources can prove valuable to my service as village yrustee. Specifically, my experience in negotiating labor agreements with unions and administering union contracts would be an asset to any governing body and especially invaluable at the local level of village government.

Outside of work, I have utilized my time on numerous clubs and committees including Wings of Winthrop and The Mercy League, but I am most proud of my time spent as a Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout Leader. In 2008, I was appointed as an alternate on the Village of East Williston Board of Zoning and Appeals and in 2010 was selected as a representative on the St. Aidan’s Parish Council.

On March 15, 2011, eligible voters in East Williston will have an opportunity to select their next members of the new village board. I have watched closely over the past years as dedicated Trustee David Tanner listened intently and thoughtfully to issues raised at Board meetings. He served us well as trustee and has decided to seek the position of mayor. I support his candidacy and look forward to working with him as trustee along with Bobby Shannon, a well-known businessman, friend and neighbor. Together, we are running as a skilled and accomplished hard-working team of individual minds with the common goal of getting things done for East Williston.

I have the knowledge, experience, dedication, and desire to serve as Village Trustee and am asking for your support and the support of our team on March 15th.

Bonnie Parente

East Williston

It is said that a house does not make a home. A home requires a lot more than a floor, walls, windows, and a roof. Similarly, there’s more to East Williston than a group of houses that make it a great community. East Williston is the kind of hometown that we can cherish, and the place my wife, Lauren, and I feel at home and inspired to raise our three children. With this in mind, I wish to announce my candidacy for village trustee.

East Williston is filled with love and a sense of belonging called, “community,” where neighbors feel part of each other’s lives with a real stake in the prosperity and beauty of the whole village. We all have a voice with many opportunities to be heard. Living in an incorporated village affords us the ability to improve our hometown at a very direct level of participation as can be seen by our active committees and groups.

We have been blessed with a strong village government that has worked together to build East Williston. As both Mayor Zolezzi and Deputy Mayor Jim Daw retire from service, I am encouraged that Trustee David Tanner has decided to run for mayor.

I am seeking election along with Bonnie Parente to fill the two vacant village trustee seats.

I hope to continue in the tradition set by the current board. I am confident that both David Tanner and Bonnie Parente are well qualified to lead us into the future along with myself and the current trustees, Mike Braito and John Ferro, whose contributions to our village are numerous.

My wife, Lauren, and I feel privileged to raise our three children in a community like East Williston. We are both very involved in our community. I own Reality Roofing Inc., a local family-run business. I am a Chaminade High School graduate, have a BA in Finance from Hofstra, and a law degree from St. John’s University. I regularly speak as a business turnaround expert and as a director in the Rotary Club and as president of the Chamber of Commerce, I have come to know many of the local issues and fellow residents.

My real joy is coaching my children. I am actively involved with East Williston Little League, St. Aidan’s Basketball, Mineola Soccer and serve as my oldest son’s Boy Scout Leader. My wife, Lauren, serves as a class mom at Northside, is active in the PTO and is a ready volunteer with many local causes.

As your village trustee, I will continue to work towards keeping East Williston a great place to live and raise a family. I will strive to keep our village safe, encourage fun involvement with a sense of community that includes both young and old, work toward a financial plan that will help keep the cost of maintaining a home here reasonable and predictable, and continue to improve and build for tomorrow.

Please vote on March 15 for David Tanner, Bonnie Parente and myself, Bobby Shannon.

Sincerely,

Bobby Shannon

Did anyone notice the recent announcement by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli that he was appointing his old friend, former Manhattan Democratic state Assembly member Pete Grannis as the states first deputy comptroller?

To avoid significant media coverage or scrutiny, the announcement took place last Friday afternoon on New Years Eve. The Albany based press corps was nowhere to found during that time period.

Just what credentials will the new First Deputy state Comptroller Pete Grannis bring to the second most important post in comptroller DiNapoli’s office?

Grannis served in the state Assembly from 1974 until stepping down in January 2007 to become head of the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation. While in the Assembly, he served side by side with then Assemblymember Tom DiNapoli.

Grannis also served as chair of the state Assembly Insurance Committee.

Both DiNapoli and Grannis faithfully served a number of state Assembly speakers including most recently Speaker Sheldon Silver.

In return, they got to keep their respective committee chair positions and accompanying lulus, bushel full of member item pork barrel projects, passage of pet legislation along with ample funding for numerous taxpayer sponsored mailings to district residents. By coincidence, Grannis was one of 18 other candidates who offered their services when another old colleague — former state Assembly Member and state Comptroller Alan Hevisi had to resign from office due to his own scandals. Interesting how Hevisi, DiNapoli, Grannis, Silver and colleagues flock together.

Speaker Silver placed DiNapoli in office when filling Hevisi’s vacancy. This was accomplished by a vote of the 212 members of the state Legislature — 108 of which were Silver’s fellow Democratic Assembly members rather than the voters in a special election.

Silver will now have another alumni serving as number two in the comptrollers office. Will Grannis give up his lucrative future pensions as a former state Assembly member and Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner? Will he qualify and accept yet another potential third state pension for his role as first deputy comptroller?

There were many other options available to DiNapoli besides Grannis. Why did he not consider the current New York City Comptroller John Liu, former New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson or former New York City Finance Committee Chairperson David Weprin who aspired to be New York City Comptroller?

What about any comptroller from the cities of Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers or any other city? What about a comptroller from one of the states 57 counties outside of New York City?

How about a finance officer or comptroller from any one of thousands of businesses or corporations based in New York? Any one from the above would have a better financial background and experience than Grannis.

DiNapoli talks the talk about reforming the Office of State Comptroller and bringing in expert independent staff.

With his selection of Grannis, he doesn’t walk the walk. It appears to be politics as usual. The only one smiling about DiNapoli’s appointment besides Grannis is Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Taxpayers, good government advocates and those serious about financial reform can only frown. They and the voters will have to wait until 2014 when DiNapoli stands for reelection to his first full four year term to seek a refund.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

At the conclusion of the last Herricks School Board meeting, I turned approached the newly elected president of the Herricks Teachers Association so I could wish him Happy New Year and to see if he in any way would re-consider helping out our community in these extremely difficult times.

His rude and insulting response came as he grabbed his paraphernalia and quickly exited the Herricks Community Center Meeting Room.

Is this what we have come to? What kind of union leader and, more importantly, Herricks employee would act like this in public and treat a resident of this community like that? Do we need to fear being able to attend public school board meetings and professing our opinions for everyone to hear! Isn’t communication the key to solving issues? We don’t hide behind a secret veil; we publicly profess our views without personal insult to any individual member of the Herricks Teachers Association. Then to be publicly humiliated in front of other residents who witnessed the display of rude behavior, that is where the line of personal attack and insults were crossed.

Have we now begun the process of intimidation on the part of the HTA towards the community? As parents and residents must we fear speaking to a Herrick’s teacher who may have the fate of a child’s grade in their hand because a parent chose to speak out in disagreement with them. Must we fear publicly professing our views on issues while the HTA comes in mass to the two or three school board as a method of intimidation?

These are our public forums and the public has the right to come and not have a sinking feeling that some sort of retribution will take place against them or their families. Adults can differ in opinion and still find respect for each other in a polite fashion.

The Herricks School district belongs to the tax paying residents, it’ our school district. We allow all the employees the honor and dignity that goes along with the phrase, “I work for the Herricks School district.”

We let you work here and we are done allowing this sort of behavior to continue. We provide everything financially and physically possible for you to work in a great environment with the best kids from the best families. If it’s not what you want then by all means go find the “greener’ pastures you may think are out there.

In the mean time – let’s show a little common respect for each other, it’s not too much to ask for, that is the only way rational adults should behave privately and publicly!

Jim Gounaris

Manhasset Hills

To the Editor of the NHP Herald Courier:

Reference – Friday, January 7, 2011 issue

Article on “Snow taxes NHP budget for DPW”, by Rich Tedesco

If your going to write an article with a headline like that, then get the facts correct about what the costs were! Once again, your article is filled with errors, inconsistencies, and attempts at sensationalism.

You wrote “The total cost of clearing village streets buried by the blizzard was $30,000 – $20,000 in personnel costs and $10,000 in sand and salt, according to Lofaro.”

What was said was “….in the 2010-2011 budget, we appropriated only $30,000 for snow removal, $20,000 in personnel costs and $10,000 in sand and salt.”

The village did not spend that amount to service this blizzard. We spent about half our budgeted amount at $16,900.

Additionally, the caption under the picture of a damaged fence reads “Snow dumped against a fence at the Long Island Rail Road tracks in New Hyde Park threatens the integrity of that fence.” If this caption was meant to more accurately reflect the contents of the article, it should have been described as “Snow dumped against a fence by an unauthorized private payloader at the LIRR tracks in New Hyde Park threatens the integrity of that fence.”

It should be noted that a village official met with that unauthorized private payloader owner and operator, and that owner agreed to repair the damaged fence.

It should also be noted that the village is hopeful that federal funds (FEMA) will be made available to offset some of our costs.

Regards,

Bob Lofaro

Deputy Mayor

Mayor Celender,

Thank you for comments of support and in defense of the Vigilant Fire Company last night during the Board meeting. It is very encouraging to hear that the Board of Trustees appreciate and respect the services that all the volunteers of the Fire Department work so hard to provide.

I would also like to express my disappointment with regards to the comments made by Mike Sweeney. The volunteers of the fire service (not only the Vigilants) take pride in the high quality of service that we provide to our communities. Mr Sweeney’s comments implying that any fire department responds to an emergency while “punch drunk” are uncalled for, insulting, and show an utter lack of respect on behalf of the Village of Great Neck Plaza. While I appreciate the letter of apology from Mr Sweeney I believe that further action is required. These comments were published and read by the residents whom we work so hard to protect; it is only fair that an apology be made public in the same manner.

Respect from the public is extremely important for fire company morale and membership recruitment and retention. While volunteerism does not provide monetary compensation it does allow the volunteer to walk the streets of our community with our heads held high. It creates a feeling of immense pride knowing that the community appreciates the many nights without sleep, missed time with our families, and hours spent training to better serve our fellow residents. Without the respect of the public we are left with residents such as those present last night that questioned the service that we pride ourselves in providing.

Again, thank you for your words of encouragement and I hope you can share these words beyond the group of people in attendance at last nights meeting.

Micah Tucker

Captain

Great Neck Vigilant Engine & Hook & Ladder Company

I read the appalling letter published by your newspaper – January 7, 2011 issue – from a Mr. Michael S. Glickman respecting the mayor and trustees of Great Neck Plaza. I cannot help but be horrified by its venomous contents. I was surprised that you chose to publish it as a letter to the editor rather than the editorial piece it is.

Although political differences should be expressed with passion and forcefulness,it does not signify that ad hominem rhetoric has a place in a civil and civilized society. I find it equally disturbing that even if Mr. Glickman were to have well-founded disagreements with the way the village is run,which is possible, the way he communicates it is borderline calumnious and certainly petty in the extreme.

His intemperance defeats the purpose he has and his principles seem to be inconsistent with the quality required of a public servant. I wonder what this gentleman does for a living that permits him to be so radically judgmental and dismissive as to the way one deals with the reality of running this village, or for that matter any political entity.

In my long-standing relationship with several administrations of Great Neck Plaza as an owner of commercial property, including the building where Mayor Celender maintains her business, I have never observed the vitriol and contempt for others in local government as are exhibited by Mr. Glickman. His arguments, even if he has reasons to be angry respecting the economic situation of this community, has everything to do with the dire economic reality of our country and very little to do with the way a small municipality is run.

Although Mr. Glickman has every right to express his frustration, reasonable people should be wary of the way he communicates it; over-heated oratory has no place in a small community that prides itself on being inclusive and respectful of all. I have in the past disagreed with the policies of the mayor and some of the current trustees, and may do so again in the future; but I have never questioned the honesty, probity or dedication this mayor, as well as previous ones, and the board of trustees have for this community.

In conclusion, and because of the tragic circumstances that we witnessed this past weekend, it is important that comity prevails. Mean- spiritedness and demonizing people with whom you disagree must have no place in a thoughtful airing of ideas. That, of course, should be understood by all sides involved in these local issues. Thus, would it be too much to expect that the people Mr. Glickman has so ungenerously sullied would have the wisdom not to reply in kind? Insulting and mocking prose do not permit intelligent and constructive dialogues, and it certainly tears at the social fabric of a community.

Patrick Silberstein

Kings Point

Please allow a resident of the Village of Great Neck who testified at the public hearings against the passage of the smoking law, to offer some information that has gone unnoticed amid the accolades and publicity.

This law, written to protect the public from the dangers of second-hand smoke, is crafted in a way that may expose the village to lawsuits contending elitism and discrimination for the following reasons.

Yes, sidewalk smoking is prohibited in front of businesses along Middle Neck Road, the main artery of the business district, but the village has large areas along Middle Neck Road where smoking will indeed be permitted.

St. Aloysius Church, and the Village School, an alternative high school, are properties adjacent to one another that comprise almost an entire block. Teenage students daily cluster on the sidewalk in front of the school to smoke right next to a bus stop, and this is a permitted smoking area. Same goes for the church, where pallbearers and limo drivers smoke while funerals and weddings take place. Smoking will be permitted in front of several temples, the firehouse, apartment buildings and in three large Village parking lots.

If the purpose of the law is to protect the public from second-hand smoke, do not pedestrians in all areas deserve the same protection?

Smokers will move from non-permitted smoking areas to permitted areas , creating clusters and a worse concentration of smoke. Why should students, firemen, religious worshippers, apartment dwellers be allowed to smoke on the sidewalk, and business owners, their customers, and employees are not? The law as it stands is elitist and discriminatory. The village is determining who will or will not, be permitted to smoke along Middle Neck Road and makes no sense. The law should encompass the entirety of Middle Neck Road, or not at all.

I also want to add that during the two public hearings I attended on this law, only one local business owner came to Village Hall to support it. The village provided no documentation or petitions from other business owners in support of this law during the course of the hearing.

We already have laws in the village that are not enforced diligently, namely the great number of residents’ sidewalks that were not cleared even a week after the last snowstorm. The county is cutting back on services and who will bother the police to ticket a smoker?

As the law stands, it is elitist, discriminatory, and unenforceable, and I do not want my taxpayer dollars going to pay legal fees when the Village has to defend it against the inevitable lawsuits that will ensue.

Carole Lynn Marino

Village of Great Neck