(Editors Note: This letter was sent to Subimal Chakraborti, Regional Director, NYS Department of Transportation and to the Manhasset Press for publication.)

On Monday, Aug. 11 and again Thursday, Aug. 14, flooding took place on Port Washington Boulevard (Route 101) just north of Northern Boulevard. I called both events into your emergency telephone number. The Aug. 14 flooding was more serious and required the help of both police and fire department rescue units to save stranded motorists, including a mother and little girl who were in danger of drowning.

Over the years there has been much correspondence on flooding problems that has caused homeowner damage but the response of the D.O.T. has been largely denial that a problem exists or some vague promise to study the problem. Are you and your department going to wait until someone actually drowns before anyone in the D.O.T. admits that immediate action is necessary?

As I stated in my previous letters, it is pretty obvious there is a design flaw in the road. Storm sewers that have been inadequate from the start and not very well maintained are also contributing factors. The sight of firemen attempting to clear the storm sewers certainly attests to the lack of regular cleaning of the road that leaves refuse to cover them.

I am awaiting a response from your office as to what steps you plan to take to resolve this problem. Thank you.

John Frangos