By KAREN RICE
The committee is made up of about 20 local educators, mayors, business representatives and loved ones of Sept. 11 victims. Committee members either live or work in Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, Hewlett, Inwood, Valley Stream, East Rockaway and Lynbrook. Alan Kroningold, committee chairman, said the committee tried to select "as general a location as possible [for the remembrance site] so it is highly visible."
He said the county-owned land has "just sat there" for many years and it is time to create a community memorial to commemorate those lost on Sept. 11. The county has recently donated the land to the committee, with the help of Nassau County Legis. Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside).
"I think it's important that the community have a reminder of the tragic events of Sept. 11," Toback said in a phone interview. "It's important for the community to have a visible reminder. It's important on many levels -- to never forget, so we do not become more vulnerable, and the human aspect. We learned how fragile life is."
Kroningold agreed that it is essential that community members do not forget.
"We'd like to keep it foremost in everyone's minds so they don't forget because this is never going to go away," he said. "The threat of terrorism will be with us the rest of our lives. People have gone back -- patriotism is back where it was, everything is back to pre-September 11th. We can't forget."
Kroningold, a former teacher at Lawrence Middle School, is also working together with Principal Dr. Mark Kavarsky to make the memorial become a valuable learning experience for local children.
Kavarsky offered to reach out to the Lawrence school district as well as other local school districts to help incorporate their assistance and cooperation. He suggested a time capsule and various fund-raisers as ways the children can become involved.
"I feel that reaching out, advisor to advisor, children to children, will work," he said. "Many schools said they liked the idea of fund raising and getting the children involved."
Tony Nozzolillo, a representative from KeySpan Energy, insisted that the committee keep in mind the commercial aspects of the memorial as well as the sentimental aspects.
"People don't want to donate to a dream," he said. "They want to see things that are tangible. They are going to want to have their flag up or a sign -- some kind of name recognition."
The committee agreed to start up a Website and create stationery to make it easier to get sponsors. The committee hopes to raise about $100,000 for the memorial and wants to have it completed within a year.
The committee is also anxious to gain more support and more members from the surrounding communities.
"I can't do it alone," Kroningold said. "There are people in this community that are skilled at so many things and can help us with their niche."
He asked that anyone interested in helping can call Toback's office at (516) 571-6207. The next meeting will be held Feb. 6 at Lawrence Middle School, 195 Broadway, and all are welcome to attend, Kroningold said.
