Letters to the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Editor (Jan. 10-16)

Posted

What is happening to Lynbrook?

To the Editor,

As a resident of Lynbrook for 35 years, I am upset that I had to write to the Herald about a grim topic. A few months ago, I saw a “rally” against the Cornerstone at Lynbrook project on the steps of Village Hall by a group called the Lynbrook Community Alliance.

There is nothing wrong with protesting a proposed project. In fact, it is people’s right. However, I was so angry to see members of this group holding up signs alleging “village corruption.” There is absolutely no basis for such a sign. I know Mayor Alan Beach, and you can’t find a more honorable and honest individual.

What is really funny is this “rally” was against the Cornerstone project that Beach and the board already canceled. So what was the rally really about?

It is despicable that any one person or group would use the word corruption so cavalierly. I am particularly disappointed in Deputy Mayor Hilary Becker for standing with this group and their false corruption signs.

Don’t tarnish Lynbrook and good people for political purposes. That’s not Lynbrook.

Vito Leonardi, Lynbrook

Lynbrook shouldn’t be the village of ‘no’

To the Editor,

I have been a Lynbrook resident for more than four decades, and I have known Deputy Mayor Hilary Becker since I was in elementary school. I graduated high school with his sister and grew up playing lacrosse with his brother and cousins. I was on vacation and unable to attend the past few village board meetings about the application to build luxury apartments in Lynbrook, which he was vehemently against. We need to stop labeling ourselves as the village of “no.”

Are Lynbrook residents aware that there was another developer who wanted to build luxury apartments in Lynbrook? This firm, Mill Creek Residential, was able to have three separate land owners on Rocklyn Avenue agree to sell to them in 2017. This project would not have required Lynbrook to sell or give village property away.

The developer built successful complexes in West Hempstead, as well as Mineola, where officials were so happy with the outcome that they asked them to build another complex. Other examples of successful revitalization are places like Patchogue, Farmingdale, Riverhead, Huntington and Bay Shore — all of which have booming downtown areas.

I would like to know why this developer was not given a chance in Lynbrook. Because they had to withdraw their application, now there is a storage facility being built on one of the properties. Who knows what is going to happen with the other two properties? In addition, Mayor Alan Beach mentioned in the Herald that he was not happy about one of the properties becoming a storage facility. We could have had beautiful luxury apartments there. I believe we need to make changes to revitalize our village. 

When people come, restaurants come, stores and boutiques open, and businesses boom. This is what Lynbrook needs in this challenging economy. The Mill Creek project could have been great for Lynbrook.

David O’Neill, Lynbrook