Perhaps the most compelling testimony to be presented at last week's Jericho Turnpike hearing was delivered by Mrs. James Stassen, who lives on New Hyde Park Road, New Hyde Park. As she was telling those at the Department of Transportation (DOT) why the way in which they were cutting up New Hyde Park Road would take an even greater amount of her property, she was in tears. She explained that nine years ago the DOT took property to allow for a left-hand turning lane. She said, "Now you are looking to take more of my property and I can't see why. What's going to happen to us? We are going to have the cars and the trucks in my front door. I have the gas station; when they pull out, there are huge trucks coming out of there. Now, by taking the property who is going to guarantee my husband's and my life? I don't think it is fair that they should be taking our property. I can't say anything more right now, since I am so upset. I talked with a gentleman who told me they would do the best they could. That's what I was told nine years ago when you people took my property. I am hoping that you would make us happy and leave us alone." She left the podium because she was so distraught.

New Hyde Park Mayor Daniel Petruccio was next to testify and he said, "Today, I am representing, as Mayor, the Board of Trustees of the Village of New Hyde Park and the slightly under 10,000 residents of that community. I want to start by thanking the DOT for having this forum. In addition, I would like to thank some of my fellow elected officials who made sure they got here and New York State Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt, Senator Craig Johnson and the Mayor of Floral Park, Phil Guarnieri and his fellow trustees for appearing here today.

"But, most importantly, beside all of that, I think the commentary of those affected most directly and those who ride these roads every day is the key component of this forum. To say that I represent 10,000 residents and to intimate I know what they think is presumptuous. So, I am going to do that. There are parts of this project, as trustee Donald Barbieri commented, that we are very excited about. We have an Operation Downtown Revitalization and we are trying to beautify our community through Jericho Turnpike and we think we are doing a good job with that. There are some parts of this project that incorporate what we would like to do.

"However, there are some aspects of the plan that are clearly intolerable. If you are putting them into major and minor issues they tend to be the more major issues. Such as the intersection of New Hyde Park Road. Let's start with that one first.

"The Village of New Hyde Park Board of Trustees is diametrically opposed to any property takings whatsoever. The residents on that portion of the road just north of Jericho have had property takings already. There is no property left to take, without making it almost impossible for them to have quality of life in those houses that they have lived in all their lives. So we will do everything in our power to stand with them against that part of the proposal.

"More importantly, looking at what's trying to be accomplished, as a layman as far as I can understand it, this is about traffic flow north and south in the 23 and 24 hour of the day, in the rush hour of time. Now, let's make a couple of key points. With the railroad gates down, and since the present project which they intimated might be happening in our community is now on hold, that continues to be a problem. With the gates down at rush hour creating traffic flow across Jericho Turnpike, moving south towards the railroad is going to put you at gates down. So, where is the gain there? I don't want to move more traffic north/south because there is no place for it to go. I also don't want to move more traffic east/west onto Jericho because we already have a logjam. Just try to run an errand at about 5:15 p.m. I work in Mineola at Chaminade High School. In the morning at 6:45 I laugh when I get to Denton Avenue, if I made that light it's two minutes to Herricks Road. That trip coming home at rush hour could be 15 to 18 minutes. I am not really quite sure what we are trying to accomplish and on top of that to take property from residents who have already lost property, I don't see the benefit.

"The other two intersections that we are deeply concerned about is Covert Avenue going in and out of the Dunkin Donuts Parking lot, There have been a number of accidents there throughout the years and we need some relief there.

"Looking at the plans for Lakeville Road, that's our third major intersection; Lakeville Road has been a problem for many, many years for us and the biggest issue is turning right onto Jericho to proceed west. Hopefully that problem can be solved, but one of the things I see in the preliminary plans, that coming out of South 9th Street that you can only make a right hand turn from the south side of the village to Lakeville Road traveling north. I'm not quite sure where they are expected to go. Do we bring them over to Covert Avenue, which we have established as a problem intersection? So, although I am enthusiastic about some of the amenities in the project that are part of our beautification, I can't in good conscience say that we would support that if any of these other plans for property takings and I think, not well thought out solutions, can continue as part of the plan. So, if it's an 'all or nothing' proposition, I guess we are saying nothing. And, if we hopefully can have dialogue with input from the residents changing the things that need to be changed, then I am hopeful."

Rosemary Hudson was the next to speak. She lives at 4 North 11th Street and about 78 feet from Jericho Turnpike and she said she cannot make a left or right turn on Jericho Turnpike. In order for her to get out she has to go to Ingraham, New Hyde Park Road or to Lakeville Road because the traffic is so bad. She said, "I know you have to do something, but it's sheer gridlock. I know you have to do something, but its ridiculous every street is completely blocked to make a left or right-hand turn." She added, "One thing you cannot eliminate is the light on South 12th Street. That is the railroad traffic. There is bedlam both in the morning and at night. As you notice I walk with a limp and it's worth your life to cross Jericho Turnpike. Now, you are going to eliminate the light on North 10th Street. So, my option is to go to Ingraham Lane to cross Lakeville Road. To cross at Lakeville Road is taking your life in your hands. There has to be some system because there are left and right hand turns. There has to be a way that all the lights stay red at one time so that it gives people enough time to cross and it's the same on New Hyde Park Road. Somewhere along the way, all the lights have to stay red to give the pedestrians a safe way to cross. The way you have it now, one light is green, one is red and if you step into the road all of a sudden a car is coming right at you."

Other speakers, from the Village of Mineola, were very upset that the project ended at Herricks Road because they felt that since Mineola is the County Seat and since it has not been repaved in many, many years this would be the time to do that.

New York State Senator Craig Johnson said, "As you know Jamaica Avenue/Jericho Turnpike is a major transportation corridor. It is extremely important that we maintain the road and improve on its surface to meet the needs of heavy volume. I am very disappointed that the project is slated to end at Herricks Road and not continue to Mineola. I understand there is federal funding involved here and it is impossible for you to extend the scope of the project, but I suggest that as soon as you close the books on the planning stage of this project, open up a new set and begin a similar project from Herricks Road east to Glen Cove Road.

"I would also like the DOT to use this opportunity to implement a more regular maintenance schedule for the road such as better sweeping, curb work, plowing, etc."

The senator also said he received requests from Bellerose Terrace regarding signage. Finally, he said, "I ask that you be mindful, during design and construction, of the people who live proximate to Jericho Turnpike. There are a number of residential neighborhoods along the corridor and they must be treated with the utmost respect during this process. Their input must be well heeded and they must be informed of everything that is happening at every stage of the project. Nothing less is acceptable."

A few more residents spoke with just about the same comments and the DOT then closed the hearing.