The following letter was addressed to Joseph Cairo, president of the Nassau County OTB. The writers asked that the letter also be reprinted here:
Dear Mr. Cairo:
Recent media reports indicate that the Nassau County OTB has selected the former site of the Fortunoff store (1504 Old Country Road, Westbury) as the future site of the Nassau County OTB Casino.
As the elected representatives of the residents of the Carle Place Union Free School District, we strenuously object to both the selection of this site and the process by which site selection has moved forward.
The residents of our school district have witnessed an explosion in vehicular traffic in and around our neighborhoods with the enormous increase in retail establishments on the Old Country Road corridor. Our local roads can no longer safely handle the volume of traffic they currently bear. Adding to the hazardous conditions by encouraging thousands of additional visitors is an unsatisfactory decision.
Those of us in public service recognize our responsibility to clearly and regularly inform the members of our constituency of decisions likely to impact the public good. We respectfully request that you withhold your decision as to the placement of this gaming facility until such time as you have held public hearings relative to the impact such a facility will have on the surrounding neighborhoods.
Members of the public must have an opportunity to be heard on such a significant decision. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to the favor of a reply.
The Carle Place Board of Education and Superintendent David J. Flatley
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