Why I’m Running.
The last straw was the developer’s request for a 22-year tax abatement!
I’m Sam Yellis, and I’ve been fighting against overdevelopment, but mainly for people, in the village for over a decade.
I’ve stood up with the residents of Academy Gardens, with Millbrook Court, with friends and neighbors who fight the really personal battles against overdevelopment: The new garage going in on your property line, or the subdivision going in right next to you…
Many of you know me from the many letters I’ve had published over the years.
My stance has been consistent, and I’m willing to debate anybody anytime about these issues! I call on my opponents to accept this challenge and participate in a
public debate!
The latest megaproject that we have been objecting to is at 733-741 Middle Neck
Road. Most of the building, actually, will be on North Road.

This project started as a 20-something unit building, but has grown into a 60-unit behemoth! The developer has encroached on single-family zoning to build this, using that land for dry wells for drainage.

We fought this but lost, ultimately, in the Board of Zoning Appeals, above the objections of almost every member. It’s funny (Not).
The mayor and trustees say they are not in favor of this project, the BZA says
they are not in favor of it, yet it is being built! Ha!
Now the developer is threatening not to develop the property unless he gets a
22-year tax abatement! Are you kidding me?! Enough is enough! But wait,
there’s more: Now the next megaproject, Millbrook Court, is looking for a tax
break too!
They told us we needed apartment buildings to pay taxes so our taxes don’t go
up- Now our taxes are going up 2%, and they want 20+ years without
paying their fair share?! This is why I’m running!
These guys are shady. Developer-friendly “master plans” changing the suburban
character of our village, against the will of the people, and even governmental
bodies- changing codes and zoning maps to accommodate their mega projects
over and over again.

Wait till the East Shore Road project comes in, and the folks on West Terrace have their view of the Bay replaced with the view of the back of the building!
The mayor and trustees just selected the Mayor’s own landscaper to get the
contract for planting the Medians on Middle Neck Road! $35,000 to put in the
dirt, and plant whatever plants the village buys separately! $35,000 to the
Mayor’s landscaper?! What was the bidding process? No one else wanted to do
this, huh?! C’mon, give us a break!
When things pile up so high that you can’t take being taken advantage of, being
talked down to, and treated condescendingly by their elected officials, it’s time to
try and fight back!
I’m Sam Yellis, and I’m trying! I need your help in revitalizing the spirit of the
Village!
These guys have had years to revitalize the village. Seems to me as if things
are getting worse, not better. If you think the village is in a better place today
than it was 4, or 6 years ago, vote for them. If you think we need change, vote
for change! Vote for Sam!
Let’s celebrate every ethnicity and culture gracing our Peninsula! Work with the
parks and schools to bring these cultural celebrations to the Village Green, use
the gazebo for music. The Village has a fund with almost a million dollars in it- set
aside for use with the Parks- this money is from all the developers who were
granted variances for their projects. So? Use it!
Create a “Business Improvement District”, like the Plaza has, to get people to
shop and eat in the Village.
Start a Village run CSA – Community Sponsored Agriculture – food has always
brought people together! Bring in the healthy produce from out East!
These are just some ideas, and issues worth getting involved with. Check out
more at www.togethergncan.org- there’s even a link on the site where you can
add your name to the letter going to Nassau County- tell them no to tax
abatements for developers!
And, please send a message to village government, that enough is enough. Vote for Sam Yellis for trustee, Village of Great Neck, on June 21. Thank you!
Sam Yellis
Great Neck