A recent meeting of the Teddy Roosevelt Statue Advisory Committee, held to determine the location of the statue within the hamlet of Oyster Bay, was pleasantly interrupted by an announcement from Rotarian and prominent international attorney, Fritz Coudert, that he wanted to take a prominent role in the centennial project. According to Anthony J. Tini, chairman of the Oyster Bay Rotary Centennial Committee, Mr. Coudert said, "Theodore Roosevelt was not only one of the finest and most colorful of all US presidents, he was an important and active member of the Oyster Bay community. I am pleased and proud to be able to assume a major role in attempting to bring an important statue of him, as a Rough Rider, to the hamlet of Oyster Bay and to locate it where the people will see it as they enter the gateway to the hamlet. Because my grandfather, Frederic R. Coudert, was a very close personal friend, confidant and advisor to the president, both before, during and after his terms in office, I feel that it is also, in part, my responsibility to help bring this great bronze statue of him to Oyster Bay."

The committee went on to decide that the logical location for the placement of the statue would be at the intersections of Route 106 (South Street) with Berry Hill Road and Lexington Avenue. That triangular property, sometimes referred to as the "Gateway to the Hamlet," is presently owned by Island Properties. At an earlier meeting with IP CEO Lori Horowitz and IP president Abe Poznanski, Mr. Tini had been told that the property was not then available. In the course of further conversation, however, the IP officers mentioned that the property would eventually be used as a welcoming area for visitors entering the hamlet. The committee hopes to meet very soon with Ms. Horowitz and Mr. Poznanski to discuss a complete program which might be acceptable to them.

Also attending the centennial committee meeting was Bayville resident Joseph E. Reilly, Jr. Reilly, an international architect with offices in Sea Cliff, stated, "As ... the great grandson of a fellow Rough Rider, I would like to extend my personal assistance to you and the Rotary on anything you may need in order to assist everyone in moving this project forward."

Local historian John Hammond, also present, will continue, according to Mr. Tini, to act in an advisory capacity assisting the committee.

It is the hope of the members of the centennial committee that the wishes of so many people in the community, past and present, that the statue of Theodore Roosevelt be placed at that triangle, may finally be fulfilled.