We have a lot of news to share with you. Hopefully, this article will give you an update on several issues and activities the civic association has been involved with.

Membership Drive - In October, a letter detailing the accomplishments of the civic association in 1998 along with a membership application was distributed to all homes. On Nov. 20, a reminder notice was mailed to those who had not yet sent in their dues. There will be a final reminder notice going out within the next two weeks to those who have still not remitted their dues payment. Everyone's prompt response is greatly appreciated, as there is a cost involved in sending out these additional notices, and our newspaper subscription, which is included in your dues, must be in prior to Jan. 1. The civic association truly performs a great service to the community and should be supported by all residents.

The Underhill/Tilles Property - Efforts are still under way to have this property preserved. The office of County Executive Thomas Gulotta continues to assure us that they are still seeking to have the property preserved. The Trust For Public Land, a not-for-profit organization which negotiates the purchase of environmentally sensitive land, is continuing to work with the county and is in the process of completing an appraisal. However, the Town of Oyster Bay, which promised not to appeal the Supreme Court's January decision that reversed the town's approval of the construction of 270 homes on the property, has filed an appeal along with the Tilles Investment Company. This action, on the part of the town, was totally unexpected and terribly disappointing. We have also been advisedthat the developer has submitted a draft Environmental Impact Study to the town with regard to its application for approval of the 270 home development. No town, county, or state official, other than Thomas Gulotta, has, to my knowledge, become involved with or openly supported our efforts to preserve the land from development. And, unfortunately, the county executive's efforts have been very slow, at best. The lack of involvement on a town, state and federal level makes development seem more and more likely. Unless efforts to preserve this land are pursued shortly, the likelihood of preserving this property becomes very small. This is a tragedy since preservation of this property is truly deserving and could be accomplished if all of our local elected officials "stepped up to the plate." An article in the Nov. 29 Long Island section of The New York Times questioned Nassau County's commitment to preserving open space. The answer to the question appears to be simple: there is no commitment, because the actions of our local elected officials speak louder than their words. What this all means is that if this community wants to prevent development of the Underhill Property, our efforts have to intensify and our desires must be made known to all of our elected officials.

Lease With Waste Management - It recently came to the OPPCA's attention that the Town of Oyster Bay was considering leasing a 13-acre portion of town property to Waste Management, Inc., a garbage carting company. This property is located within a 54-acre site now housing the DPW garage in Syosset adjacent to the LIE. Several Syosset area civic associations and the Birchwood Civic Association expressed concern about the potential impact such an arrangement would have on the community, and requested our support in reviewing this issue. At a recent meeting with Town Supervisor John Venditto, Venditto agreed to cooperate with the community groups by providing us with details concerning the proposed lease. Initial details indicate that the leased property is intended to be used by Waste Management as a storage facility for trucks and roll-off containers, a repair garage and for company offices. After we receive more specific details from the town and review them, the civic associations will be given an opportunity to present any questions and provide input into the determination as to whether the lease arrangement is appropriate. It was a pleasure working with the various area civic associations. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a strong and cooperative coalition among the area civics on this issue and other issues affecting us all.

Cerro Wire - The Town of Oyster Bay is holding a town meeting on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall on Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay. On the agenda will be a formal presentation of the re-codification of the town zoning code. This initiative will bring the town code current and take into consideration the changes that have occurred over the years in Oyster Bay. The new code will allow the town to use different standards in evaluating requests for zoning and land use changes. The re-codification will likely have an effect on the application for a special use permit that the Cerro Wire property owners have before the town. This property and other similarly zoned properties will not be able to receive a special use permit under the new code. Property owners will have to submit a new application seeking a zoning change. The criteria and process involving a change of zoning application is far more rigorous than an application for a special use permit. Owners of property seeking a special use permit do not have the burden of proving that the intended use is not detrimental. The town, however, in order to deny a special use permit, has the burden of proving that the use is detrimental. With a change of zoning application, the applicant has the burden of establishing that the change of zoning will not have a detrimental impact. These changes to the town code are significant and should be supported.

Garbage Collection - The civic association was assured by the town DPW several months ago that garbage collection times would be rotated so that Oakwood Princeton Park would not receive collection at such an early time 12 months a year. Unfortunately, the rotation has not commenced. Recent inquiries to the town should hopefully result in the rotation beginning. As a reminder, the town has two rules when it comes to putting out garbage. There is a town ordinance which stipulates that garbage may be put at the curbside only after 5 p.m. the night before a scheduled collection and that containers must be removed from the curbside by 8 p.m. on the day of collection. The ordinance also stipulates that containers should be placed at the curb. Not in the roadway. Although it may not be convenient to wait to put your garbage out until after 5 p.m., doing so earlier in the day or days before the collection day makes our community less beautiful than it should be. Please be considerate of your neighbors and of your community by waiting to put your garbage out and please make an effort to put your empty garbage pails away as soon as possible.

Fire and Water Commissioner Elections - On Dec. 8, the Jericho Fire District and Jericho Water District will be holding an election for fire and water commissioners. Voting for the fire district election is at the fire house located on North Broadway. Voting for the water district election is at the Jericho Water District, located at 125 Convent Road, Syosset, between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. It is extremely important that you make every effort to vote. Jericho resident Laurie Farber is running for water commissioner against Nick Bartilucci.

OPPCA Elections - Anyone wishing to become an officer in the civic association should contact Joe Lorintz at 935-4159. If there are any contested seats, an election will take place at our annual general membership meeting to be held on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 8 p.m. at Seaman Elementary School.

Fuel Oil Discount - Members of the civic association are entitled to receive a discounted fuel oil price through Dedicated Fuel Oil, Inc. A free service agreement is included with your purchase of oil. Should you have any questions, please contact Frank Aiello at 829-3835.

The entire executive board of the Oakwood Princeton Park Civic Association wishes all our neighbors a very happy and healthy holiday season.