Charm is something worth holding onto when it comes to quaint villages. Oyster Bay has some of that charm now, in the little row of stores known as the Florio building. We think they deserve to be preserved.

Tom Kuehhas, director of the Oyster Bay Historical Society asked people interested in saving the stores, to contact town hall and express that opinion.

Unfortunately town hall explained that the building is in the hands of the developers of the new section of Oyster Bay Manor. It is private property, they said.

The reason for the need of more parking spaces for the expanded Oyster Bay Manor is to conform to the local regulations on the number of parking spaces a building needs. David Wagner said it would be used for his employees who work in three shifts.

Mr. Wagner has said he doesn't need quite as many spaces as the town wants. He said at the hearing at town hall that only two of his present residents have their own cars - the average age of his clients is 84. Additionally, there is parking available under the existing building.

Is there a solution?

Interestingly, next to the Florio building is the Anderson building parking lot. It appears to be underutilized. Is it possible to make an arrangement to get access to the back of the Florio property from the Anderson lot?

Maybe the town can offer some kind of incentive to the Andersons to allow that kind of easement.

Another solution is to build a tunnel under the new site which is being planned, that could give access to the back of the Florio property while leaving the stores in front untouched.

If Oyster Bay is to be a viable commercial area, it really can't afford to lose those charming buildings. They are just the right size to let a new business start up without having to cover a large rent.

As it is, Oyster Bay Manor will have to go to Town Hall for a demolition permit to knock down the building. The town just wants to be sure the work is done safely. They are not concerned with the aesthetics of the issue.

A parking lot is perfectly permissible use of the land, said town hall.

What is needed is for local residents to express their opinion of what they would like to see happen. They don't need to find the perfect solution. If residents want to see the buildings saved, there are ways it can be done.

Why lose the charm of those buildings without a fight. Why lose them just because of rules that may be applied too rigidly.

Honestly - we are concerned with what is happening in Oyster Bay. If we allow them to "pave paradise and put in a parking lot" - we deserve what we will get. A decimated downtown area!

Let's save the Florio building! Call town hall at 624-6300 and talk to your elected officials. When you see Town Supervisor John Venditto ask him about the building. This is the town seat of government. We should be the town that gets the most attention from our local elected officials. Let's talk it up. You never can tell what will happen!

-DFK