Save the Jewel By the Bay informs the community there is national attention and concern being focused on historic Oyster Bay. On June 28, The National Trust for Historic Preservation identified 300 historic communities in 33 states, threatened by teardowns.

Oyster Bay is on this list.

With this proclamation, The National Trust has launched a national 'anti-teardown' campaign. Richard Moe, president of the National Trust, stated, "Teardowns spread through a community like a cancer. I believe they represent the biggest threat to America's older neighborhoods since the heyday of urban renewal and interstate highway construction. Communities must realize that they aren't helpless in the face of teardowns. They must develop a vision for the future of their community...and put in place mechanisms to ensure that their vision is not compromised."

He went on to say, "America's older neighborhoods are important chapters in the story of who we are as a nation and people. By working together, we can keep America's older neighborhoods intact so that generations to come can live in them, learn from them, be sheltered and inspired by them - just as we are today."

Kathryn Prinz, a co-founder of Save the Jewel, said, "This reinforces why Save the Jewel By the Bay came to be, when the Oyster Bay community rallied together nearly one year ago and called for the Town Board to enact a residential moratorium. It also reinforces the work both Save the Jewel and the Town have been doing to make this residential moratorium a fruitful time for this historic Hamlet's preservation and future."

Rita Pecora, co-founder, said, "We know the Town is compiling and learning from the information it has been gathering during the moratorium period. Save the Jewel is also nearing completion of our Recommendations and Points of Discussion for the Town to consider."

Ben Jankowski, co-founder, concluded, "This national recognition highlights the seriousness of the situation in Oyster Bay. This is also an important opportunity for all of us, to work together and Save the Jewel By the Bay."

Save the Jewel By the Bay is a grass-roots movement, dedicated to preserving the Historic Residential Hamlet of Oyster Bay. For further information contact: Save the Jewel By the Bay, P.O. Box 152, Oyster Bay, NY 11771. E-mail: SavetheJewel@aol.com

The National Trust for Historic Preservation website: www.nationaltrust.org

We add our voice in supporting Save the Jewel By the Bay. They marched in last year's Fourth of July parade and in one year have caught the attention of the town - and now have national recognition in trying to preserve the hamlet of Oyster Bay from "the cancer of teardowns." Congratulations!

- DFK