By Kim Meslin
Walnut Road resident Bill Belmont says the road is a hazard to neighborhood children because of its blind spot on the north side bend, and has been petitioning the board to make it a one-way street for several months.
"It's not a question of what we want, it's what we need," said Belmont. "It's a safety factor and if you have to take the two extra minutes to go around, that's the way it is. Neighbors have said in the petition that they've had close calls -- while walking their dogs, backing out of their driveways -- it's a dangerous condition."
But another Walnut Street resident, Susan Rosen, who attended the meeting, is fighting to keep it a two-way because, she said, people will be more likely to speed if it is made a one-way and many residents will have to go out of their way to head north on the road, causing traffic problems.
"I feel that making it a one-way street will increase the chance of accidents because as it is now the cars go rather quickly and if it's a one-way they won't have to worry about oncoming traffic," said Rosen.
Mayor Joseph Carrigan and the board are still looking into the problem and have not yet made a decision. Carrigan said that he would ask the Highway Department if it would be possible to shorten the traffic light on Main Street if Walnut Road were to be made into a one-way street. "We will have another survey to find out what the best solution to this problem is," he said.
Edward DePietro, a 40-year resident of East Rockaway, also questioned the board about restrictions placed on the Recreation Department's adult travel program.
The East Rockaway Recreation Adult Travel program has been providing village adults with trips to different locations for the past 15 years. Those taking the trips pay their own way and have their own drivers, but are provided with two vans owned by the village. The mayor and village board have recently limited these trips to areas no more than 150 miles away, in order to keep down insurance costs.
"For many residents these trips were the only source of normal, safe, and comfortable travel," DePietro said. "Mr. Mayor, please give us back our vans with no added restrictions. As we once shared joy in so many memorable trips, we will remember your response in the next election."
The mayor and village trustees refused to reverse their decision stating that insurance laws have changed since the program's inception and rules prohibit the use of the vans for extended travel.
Phyllis LaSelva, the former director of the travel program, resigned from the position on Sept. 2 because of the 150-mile limit. There is no replacement for LaSelva and no further trips have been planned. "It's definitely not the insurance issue," LaSelva said. "I can't fight city hall. I just feel sorry for the people who are missing out. I just don't have my heart in it anymore."
"As far as we're concerned the program has been shut down," Village Recreation Director Frank Pignataro said. "We just don't think it's feasible."
At the beginning of the meeting, two local soldiers were given special recognition at East Rockaway's Village Hall meeting Monday night. Pfc. Craig T. Smith and Corp. Dennis W. Hays of the United States Marine Corps, both residents of East Rockaway, were honored by East Rockaway Mayor Joseph Carrigan for their service in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Special thanks and certificates of recognition were also given to the Marines by Nassau County Legislator Francis Becker and Town Councilman Anthony Santino.
The mayor urged all residents to attend the village's annual candlelight service this Thursday to commemorate those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. The service will be at 7:30 p.m. behind Village Hall. The Congregation ETZ Chaim was also granted permission to hold their annual solidarity parade on Oct. 18 at 6 p.m.
