Our counties on Long Island as well as the state are trying to cut back on certain expenses. It is very apparent that one of these areas is maintenance of our streets and roadways. Although initially the “un-mowed” grassy patches along the parkways and local roads looked unkempt, they’ve now reached an appropriate height and have a pleasant “island” look about them. I rather like seeing what now appears to be ornamental grass blowing in the breeze as I drive by. What I don’t appreciate seeing is all the trash strewn along our roads.
On Sunday afternoon, around 12:30 p.m., I exited the Southern State Parkway onto Wantagh Avenue going north and there was a dark blue Caravan in front of me. They pulled over to the stop sign and a woman exited the passenger door, took down an orange “multi-family” garage sale sign and went back into her car. I assumed the sale was over and she was doing the right thing by taking down the sign. What I didn’t appreciate was that once inside the car, she threw the sign out the window. The Caravan made a right and proceeded to Gregg Court, where another sign was waiting inside the cul-de-sac. I was only able to see the woman remove this sign, but I can only imagine what she did with it after taking it down. While helping with our Earth Day clean-up, we found many fast-food bags filled with leftover cups, napkins, etc., as well as newspapers and cigarette butts, all apparently thrown from car windows. The town does not have the resources to clean up after us – we must all make an effort to dispose of our trash in a responsible manner. Please speak to your children about this, before our neighborhood starts looking like a ghetto.
While marching in the Memorial Day parade on Monday, it was wonderful seeing how many people came out to support their community. There was such a sense of pride –parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors, all cheering on the establishments that make Levittown the great community that it is, from the school bands, Brownies and Cub Scouts, to the volunteer ambulance, fire departments and organizations that give back to this community with their time and resources. So let’s all give to our community by not littering.
Pat Patane
