An open letter to te Nassau County Legislature

Monday, April 8, 2013 Why isn't the Nassau County Legislature Investigating improprieties and possible illegalities with Hurricane Sandy contractors????? When we first publically raised the issue of wanton tree destruction by contractors in Nassau County Preserves, we suspected that FEMA's offer to reimburse local governments for removal and replanting, was a factor. Subsequent examination by the County Comptroller revealed that contracts for tree removal and other hurricane recovery work were not properly solicited and authorized. Rather, the county administration allowed an illegal contract to be issued to a contractor who instead of scouring county roadways for trees blocking the street or threatening damage or injury, simply went into the preserves and began unnecessary and wrongful clear cutting of trees including those perfectly healthy. Welwynn, Sands Point, Muttontown, Massapequa and Mill Pond preserves were among those where the contractors ran berserk running up the numbers without accomplishing anything. The administration and parks department "saw no evil, heard no evil and spoke no evil" tacitly approving the desecration of our forests. Now, the Nassau District Attorney is looking into possible criminal intent in the issuing of permits and possible submission for millions of federal monies for this and other hurricane recovery work. In the county legislature, the "loyal opposition" is asking to conduct a full investigation of this matter and the majority is stymieing that effort. Who are they protecting? Why can't the truth come out? We are asking the Rules Committee vote to support a full and prompt investigation by the legislature and to request the County Comptroller to appear before that panel. County tax payers deserve no less. Our parks and open spaces have been under attack for years by the very county governments that swore to protect them. "Selling" county athletic fields to colleges and professional teams, raising fees beyond the reach of our neediest citizens, crowding out local sports leagues and allowing our public lands to fall into disrepair is a betrayal to every citizen in Nassau County. This is an election year and full disclosure and accountability to identify the vultures taking advantage of a natural disaster should be held to account. Bruce Piel Chairman PARCnassau

Chainsaw Massacre in Nassau's Suburban Forests By Bruce Piel Nassau County employees are being assigned to "clear cut" our precious preserves. Hundreds of trees are being taken out, both damaged and undamaged by Hurricane Sandy, in effect destroying the character of these areas of natural beauty. Our thanks to the North Shore Audubon Society bringing this to our attention. . It is evident that the county and park administrations do not know the difference between parks and preserves. So allow us to help define each for them. A park is a green space specifically designed for human recreation, i.e. picnics, sports, biking, swimming, etc. Removing damaged or dangerous trees from public parks is not only acceptable but also prudent. Preserves, however, are "forever wild" green spaces that allow our residents to see nature as it was before the population explosion that filled most of the space on Long Island. Natural events, even Hurricane Sandy, is part of the natural process that defines our forests. Trees felled by the storm still provide protection and food to the wildlife that lives there. Over time downed trees will decay and become a part of the forest floor providing nutrients to new saplings. This process should not be tampered with except in two circumstances. They are: Emergency vehicle access roads Walking or hiking trails Trees or other foliage that block or endanger this type of public access may be cleared enough to allow their use. No more! So why is Nassau County destroying our preserves? Well, it seems the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is paying the county "tree money" to remove hurricane damaged trees. This bonanza was not to be ignored but to be exploited!. Hundreds of trees in the Welwyn Preserve have been cut down, including live, undamaged trees (by mistake, allegedly) and the carnage continues in the Garvies Preserve. Massapequa and all other preserves are on the list. This desecration of our natural heritage must be stopped. All concerned citizens of Nassau should contact their County Executive, Park Commissioner and their county legislators to halt this madness. Our preserves should not be sacrificed to the greed of our county leaders. Bruce Piel Chairman Park Advocacy & Recreation Council of Nassau (PARCnassau) 246 Twin Lane East Wantagh, NY 11793 (516-776-1538

Port Washinton Wetlands Saved

We reported in a April 5th Blog, that the Town of North Hempstead was filling in and destroying the wetlands in Hempstead Harbor Park, west of West Shore Road. This was brought to our atention by MIchael Vitti, President of CLIMB. The reaction of the public and media was immediate. Today the media reported that the state Department of Environmental Conservation has ordered North Hempstead to restore the wetlands, remove the fill and pay a $16,000 fine. The Town's claims that they failed to obtain a permit to stabilize a nearby roadway is so much "bushwah". They were building a parking lot! The rain runoff from this area did not affect the roadway and should not be permitted to justify any future destruction of these wetlands. It is critical that every Nassau County resident monitor parks, wetlands, open spaces, etc. and report on any activity that does not preserve our parklands for the enjoyment of our citizens.

Does Nickerson Beach need a committee?

To provide ready access to the water, Nickerson Beach has always had "boardwalks" from the cabana, pool and playground areas to the surf. These are not fancy structures, but rather some 2'X4's with 3 or 4 foot planks nailed into them. They would sit atop the sand and make the transit to the waters edge easier. This helps Seniors and small children avoid slogging through long stretches of sand to cool off in the ocean. Over time these "boardwalks" have disapperaed due of lack of maintenance and weather damage to the point where they are virtually gone. The patrons of Nickerson Beach have asked the Nassau County Park Administration to address this issue, pick up some lumber and restore the "walks" to no avail. Finally, letters were sent to the County Executive who sent them on to the Park Commissioner. The Commissioner's reponse is one for the books. Comm. Carnel Fosky states he "will have the Carpentry Shop form a committee to study the matter and send their recomendations to the Department Of Public Works, who will form an action plan." Hello! A carpenter's committee? An action plan? Why not just have the carpenter's committee run over to the beach with some wood and nails and replace the "boardwalks"????? With a bureaucratic mindset demonstrated here, its is no wonder, Nassau is in a fiscal mess.

Town of North Hempstead destroying wetlands in Port Washington

Thursday, April 05, 2012
North Hempstead destroying precious wetlands in Port Washington
Back in 2005, Nassau County gave away 13 county parks to North Hempstead in a backroom deal that was to save the county money and give North Hempstead bragging rights about acquiring "new" parkland. We opposed this believing both county and town residents would lose in this deal.

Hempstead Harbor Beach and Parkland, that straddle West Shore Road in Port Washington, was one of the facilities given away by the county.

In 2009 NYS DEC learned the town was filling in some wetlands on the west side of West Shore road to build a parking lot. They stopped the destruction of the wet lands.

Quietly, this spring, the town has begun again to drain and fill the wetlands for more parking. The area they are ruining is a favorite of hikers, birders and those who enjoy the natural beauty of undeveloped parklands.

Not only are there actions in violation of DEC regulations but also are considered Alienation of Parkland by NYS case law.

Request all those against these violations, let the Town of North Hempstead, NYS DEC and NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation know as soon as possible.

2012 Wantagh Park Marina Follies

Once again the gross incompetence of Nassau County Government and it's "Public be damned" attitude has marred the new year for county resident boaters.
As of last fall, boaters were advised they would have to renew the summer dockage during the month of January, 2012 only (formerly, they had from January 2nd thru the first Saturday in March to do this). The rate was $65 per foot for slips with electricity & water and a few dollars less for slips with common water only.
On January 2nd Wantagh Park Administration began renewing slips in accordance with this policy. The week wasn't out, when Eisenhower instructed Wantagh Park to begin charging boaters $85 a foot for all slips, a whopping 23% increase and an additional $100 fee for those with electricity,.
It appears that the county administration submitted a 2012 Parks Department Budget with major increases in most fees. This was done with no public warning or input. This is the same stupidity that excessively raised the cabana fees at Nickerson Beach last year.
To make matters worse, our county legislators, you know the ones supposedly protecting our interests, failed to stop this or even notify their constituents of what was happening. Instead they passed the new budget with its outrageous fee increases.
The reaction of the boaters was quick and loud. They called and emailed the county administration and legislature. The result: Existing slip holders will pay the old rates, allegedly because the computer system will not process two different rates?????. However winners of the 2012 lottery in March will pay the increased fees for 2012. Absolutely absurd and very unfair.
Wait until residents se all the other fees that have been raised. Will they know enough to band together and demand county government rescind or modify the increases? Sadly, probably not

Update for Bay Park, et.al.

We are pleased to report that we learned today, NIFA rejected an $8.1 million contract to install artificial turf fields in Nassau County Parks including Bay Park as simply unaffordable. As we noted on September 20th, improvements while laying off the workers needed to maintain them just doesn't make sense. The Bay Park fiasco would have only enhanced Molloy College's athletic program at county expense. So we applaud this action by NIFA.