The 1999 membership drive for the Birchwood Civic Association is under way. Dues statements were mailed out to all residents of East Birchwood and the Manors. The board of directors looks forward to seeing an increase of last year's membership, which was the highest in the association's history. Increased awareness and concern are the major reasons residents belong. They know that the Civic Association is concerned with quality of life issues.

The following issues are those upon which the civic association is focusing its attention. These issues will directly impact the East Birchwood community.

The most obvious is the proposed Mall at Oyster Bay. The Taubman Company, a Michigan-based developer, has filled an application with the Town of Oyster Bay to build a million-square-foot mall that includes three anchors and 120 specialty stores on the former Cerro Wire Property on Robbins Lane.

The second major issue is The Jericho Horse Farm, a quarter mile west on Jericho Turnpike. A developer is interested in building an assisted living facility on the property.

The third issue is the leasing of 13.5 acres of town property behind the Department of Public Works offices on Miller Place. The interested lessee is Waste Management Inc. with current regional offices in New Hyde Park. WMI wishes to sign a long-term lease for the property and wants to build a 10,000 sq. foot office and a 24,000 sq. foot repair facility for its garbage trucks and roll off containers.

We need your support! Have your voice heard!

Civic association dues are $30 per household. The annual dues include a subscription to the Syosset-Jericho Tribune. Should a homeowner choose to use the services of Meenan Oil Company, Meenan will pay the membership dues and you will pay 98.9 cents a gallon.

If you did not receive your dues statement in the mail, kindly forward your check with your name, address and telephone number to: Birchwood Civic Association, PO Box 102, Jericho, NY 11753.

Todd Fabricant