Can someone please explain to me all the opposition to the Town of North Hempstead’s buyout of the Roslyn Heights pool and tennis courts.
At last month’s meeting at Town Hall there appeared to be a lot of people against the town’s acquisition of this property. There are currently over 10 acres of land with a large pool, tennis courts and open space which have not been open to the public for the last five years. The town is trying to acquire this property in a “tax-neutral” manner and provide all its residents with another beautiful facility. At the meeting, it was clear that some of the opposition was based on incorrect assumptions which need to be clarified.
• This would be a facility open to all residents living in the town of North Hempstead, not just Roslyn Heights residents.
• The acquisition of the property and the day-to-day running of the facility would be tax neutral. The town board is confident that the membership fees, food sales, tennis and other activity fees would cover the costs of the facility with no additional tax increase to the residents.
• The caterer which is located on the site has welcomed the idea of a town facility and supports the town’s acquisition.
The families and especially the children of our towns would all benefit from an additional facility. If the town can obtain, renovate and run this property at no additional cost to its residents why is there any opposition at all?
Randi Rothstein, Roslyn Heights
