Last evening, Tuesday, Sept. 20, my wife and myself had the opportunity to attend a North Hempstead Town meeting held at the Clinton G. Martin Park concerning the renovation of the pool.
I was sent an email on Saturday from the town advising me of the Tuesday meeting.
Why was it not sent out to the community earlier in time or even posted at the Tully Park/Pool facility or in the local libraries or supermarkets or mailed to the members of the CGM Pool.
Many people filled the meeting room concerned about the proposed renovation and the related costs and the impact on the homeowners.
The first 30 minutes (of the meeting) was taken up by town elected officials and appointed officials and committee members “taking a bow” and thanking us for being there.
Then came the slide-show presentation and explanation about the time-line to start and complete the proposed project.
The question-and-answer period was filled with disappointment and amazement by the residents.
The town is proud of the revised plan and that they were able to scale down the renovation cost by about $1.5 million; essentially by not installing a “water-slide” for the younger residents and making some minor modification to building finishes and materials.
What was the 10 percent cost reduction impact on the tax increase/adjustment?
Was it $18 per year?
Many suggestions were made by members of the New Hyde Park community.
Each was challenged and immediately rebuffed.
Not once did the town respond: “I am going to make a note of that and have it reviewed.”
Still unanswered is the big question as to why there wasn’t any plan formulated years ago?
Who prepares the capital budget? Was Councilmember Ferrara aware of the need for a renovation?
He stated that he raised his family in our community — however, when was the last time that he visited the pool (and not for a concert to shake hands) during the summer months but to take a stroll around?
Did anyone notice that the bathrooms are in awful disrepair.
Actually, the bathrooms at the NY/NJ Port Authority Bus Terminal are nicer.
Has Councilmember Seeman visited the pool in July or August during the time of her tenure?
Did she reach out to the parks and rec commissioner to voice shock or make any comment about the disgusting and disgraceful and deplorable conditions?
Who was asleep at the wheel of this ship? Prior parks Commissioners?
When was the renovation committee (formerly advisory committee) established?
Why was there no outreach to the residents at any time before May 2016 regarding this plan to create oasis in New Hyde Park?
Were any of the older generation ever asked for comments during their weekly/monthly (senior) meetings? Why does everyone avoid responding to my questions and wave their hands at me like swatting an insect?
Has this professional design team ever worked on a similar project?
Did any of the committee members visit any other recently renovated community pool? Where was the due diligence?
Were the Town council members kept informed, over the years, of the advisory/renovation committee progress?
Last night, I was told that the town is anxious to hear what I have to say but this is only after the meal has already been made.
Is anyone listening?
If the town truly wanted community input then it would have asked for it over the last 24 months.
The pool is not just a place to take a swim but it is an afternoon out of the house.
Sitting with friends and schmoozing and taking a dip in the water now and then.
Telling us that we can use the Tully pool is nothing special as we always had this option.
The history with the Tully pool is also filled with wonder and amazement.
I hope that it doesn’t need to close for maintenance.
What has the town done in the last five years to work on a plan to renovate the pool?
Why is it being done in such a quick and swift manner? Do the people we elect represent our interests.
Are they aware of our interests.
Don’t rely on one individual to find out what is a “hot topic.”
When the town supervisor went to her local pool, did she think about renovating CGM? When Councilmember Seeman visited her community pool did she think about our residents.
Councilmember Ferrara drives by the CGM Park/Pool frequently and somehow he did not see a decrepit crumbling structure from the Eisenhower era?
There are more weeds in the parking lost than in Prospect Park.
And to the commissioner of public works, please note that the 9 million dollar plan was not presented at the May CGM meeting.
It was only communicated to us when the survey was created. Just remember, someone is actually listening.
This is too little too late.
The town cannot defend the failure to govern and provide adequate services. The Town should accept responsibility for the current situation.
They don’t and instead blame it on previous administrations.
I won’t even mention the dead plantings in the medians on Hillside Avenue.
Is being honest the same as being too harsh?
Nonsense — I have observed that being an elected town official seems to be a great retirement plan.
Sink or swim.
Mitchell Friedman
New Hyde Park
