Editorial
Next 40 Years
Lt. Governor Malcom Wilson, who spoke before
the fall convention of the New York Press Association
at the Thousand Island Club in Alexandria
Bay last Friday, told publishers that from studies by
the State office of Planning, New York State, in
the next 40 years must build the equivalent of all
the houses, streets and communities that have
heretofore existed since our nation began.
He said: ' Today's cities face vast faceliftings.
We have pointed the way, through our new- state
urban development corporation, for a productive
partnership to eliminate ghettos.
In their place, we hope to see greater emphasis
on new community life, where decent housing,
jobs, and environment can turn despair into thriving
progress.
Our suburbs face change, too. From bedroom
communities, we expect that they will become more
self contained, reducing the daily commuter
rat- race with its high costs in time and transportation.
And our smaller cities and country towns are going
to grow; there is no mistaking that. Between 1980
and the year 2000, our state's population will grow
from 23 million to 30 million, with much of this
growth on open land in the great valleys and lake
plains. Many areas that are now rural will be
semi- urban by the turn of the century.
We have seen the phenomenal growth of our suburbs
since the end of World War II. We know all
too well the local problems which that growth
created;
— Vast new highway systems, school - bond
issues, lighting and sewer districts, police and
fire protection, and all the rest.
The press has reported all this activity fully
and accurately. And local government has risen
to the challenge, thanks in major part to that
reporting.
I never cease to marvel at the vitality which
our municipal governments show.
But what you have been through so far is only
a beginning. If this new partnership we are creating
is to succeed, you must redouble your efforts
to keep your citizens informed.
If a new sewage plant is called for, the public
must understand the health menace which would
arise if they failed to act.
If a new street or highway is needed, the benefits
in terms of travel time to be saved must be
weighed, publicly, against the cost of the project.
If there is to be either a new city hall or a new
public park, the public must be given a chance to
participate in the choice.
This new age into which we are entering is one
in which no one is really experienced. Yet the
demands are there, and they must be met if our
civilization is to thrive."
Jfctrmitigftol* ( iDluwun
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Page 4
Letters To
The Editor
Dear Editor:
Recently, I was delighted to uncover
the following fascinating
tale which can only add clarity
and understanding to our local
folklore. " Favorite Farmingdale
Fables".
Once upon a time, there was a
very unhappy fellow who went
skulking about town - generally
kicking up a ruckus trying to
get into places where he hadn't
been invited. ( But that wasn't
too difficult, because there really
weren't many places where he
was welcome, anyway.)
Being rather unfriendly and
extreme in nature, he lived locked
up in the woods, in a little pink
house, with a pretty wife and a
fine family.
He wanted to start his children
off on the right foot, so every
morning he sent them right out
of town - to a school a considerable
distance from home.
( Probably a believer in the famous
busing concept of education.)
A favorite pasttime of his was
the reading of animal lore, which
books he attempted to sneak past
the librarian, from time to time.
( I did say he was rather extreme).
There had always been considerable
conjecture on the part
of the good townspeople as to how
this strange and sullen chap
earned his living.
There were those who thought
he was connected with forestry
or conservation — something to
do with " preservation of the
birches" or some such. Others
noting the considerable care and
affection which he gave to the
peculiar black box which was
his constant companion, surmised
that he, no doubt, was anem-ployee
of some historical ( or
was it, hysterical) society - for
which he was recording small
moments of large import ( or
large moments of small import,
as the case may be).
But, there was no one in town
who was prepared when the news
reached them of this fellow's
true vocation. People everywhere
just could not believe their ears
when they learned he was, indeed,
a bonafide, genuine, secret
organizer for the American Federation
of Teachers.
And, oh yes, don't let anyone
fool you - he did his job well!
Joan Bergman
Dear Editor:
To a considerable extent,
Farmingdale's reputation as a
civilized and enlightened community
will be enhanced or dis-minished
by its attitude toward
and treatment of guests who come
to mingle with us.
Recently, Professor Ball of
Hofstra U. addressed a public
meeting in the South Farmingdale
library on the controversial subject
of Viet Nam. After his talk
he answered questions from the
audience and listened courteously
to its comments.
During the entire program
there was nothing said by either
Professor Ball or his audience
that would have even suggested
that he was not well informed
on his subject and had not given
a satisfying performance.
In spite of this fact, one of our
publicly elected officials was
quoted in the press as having said
to Professor Ball after the program,
" I suggest you learn some
thing about Viet Nam."
I hope this official was misquoted
by the press. It hardly
seems possible that anyone, and
particularly an elected public
official, would display such poor
taste and atrocious manners toward
an invited guest of the
library and its patrons.
Surely, there are few people
in Farmingdale who would wish
to see such boorish conduct exhibited
to its guests, particularly
when it is entirely unwarranted.
We hope it wont happen again.
Paul Tilford
Massapequa Park
Last year the employees of the
Farmingdale library joined the
Civil Service Employees Association.
They cited the need for
protection from harrassment by
extremist elements, and particularly
from the library trustee
who even searched their desks
during their absence. Now, less
than a year later, the teachers of
District 22 have found it necessary
to affiliate with the American
Federation of Teachers of
the AFL/ CIO. The motivating
factor for unionizing, according
to Ken Deedy, Association President,
was the '^ extremist right-wing
movement in Farmingdale."
Why have these employees
found the need to join strong organizations?
What frightening
signals have they sensed while a
great part of Farmingdale remains
unconcerned? Historically,
extremists have been known
to harrass teachers and administration,
to modify the curriculum
to relect their own thinking,
and to restrict academic freedom.
We have already seen Mr.
Ed Horton, a fine experienced
professional librarian, leave in
disgust.
Perhaps these actions help us
define the difference between
" right- wing extremist" and conservative,
which was demanded
by a guest at last weeks FACT
meeting. The difference is, professionals
dont seek protection
from conservatives. They do seek
protection from extremists. Conservatives
express a point of
view. Extremists resort to half-truths,
innuendos, and outright
lies. Extremists say that if you
are an employee of the school
district, you are not entitled to
express your point of view ( School
Board meeting, Sept. 16). Extremists
resort to racism, hysterical
issues and unsigned newsletters
and petitions.
What was the motivation of
the Library Trustee thrusting his
unwanted presence on a teachers
union meeting? Aside from the
fact that normal people with normal
sensitivities would show a
reluctance to be obnoxious, could
our Library Trustee have had
somo ulterior motive? We find
that his actions helped deliver
150 undecided votes to the pro-affiliation
group at the union
meeting. If there was any question
of the success of the affiliation
group, Mr. Gorton's presence
removed all doubt. Could
it be that Gorton desired affiliation
with the AFT? Could it
be that his irresponsible actions,
which will eventually reflect
back to us in terms of increased
tax dollars, was designed to create
an anti- teacher attitude here?
If these are his motives, then
we arc all financial sacrifices
to his right- wing extremism.
Capitol Report m
By Repjames Grover M 2 2 1 ,
Second Congressional District i^ jUslJ- L
We tried an interesting experiment
in Congress the other week.
Whether the Democratic leadership
of the House learned anything
from the experience is
doubtful but time is running very
short for this leadership anyway.
Here's what happened.
We Republicans have been trying
for the past year to pry
loose from committee two reform
bills. One of these bills
would insure clean elections. It
would set forth guidelines with
regard to campaign contributions
and would clarify standards of
ethical conduct for Congressmen.
Naturally, there are those who
prefer to see such legislation
die. The other bill would streamline
Congressional procedures,
dispense with some of the archaisms
and give us a legislative
body more in keeping with the
times. So, of course, this leadership
has kept that bill bottled
up. Any change would mean a
lessening of its power.
Because we have been barred
from debating and voting on these
measures, I persuaded my fellow
Republicans to try a little
experiment. We decided to insist
that the House operate by
its rules as a demonstration of
our protest against the autocrat
seniority system and the stifling
of Congress by a few influential
members. Many procedural
matters in Congress require
unanimous consent in order
to be omitted. We refused
to agree. When a vote was called,
we pointed to the lack of a
quorum. When a quorum was assembled,
we demanded that the
record journal for the previous
day be read. While this was going
on, the quorum dispersed.
After a few hours, we again
granted Congress the privilege of
getting some workdone and I hope
that our point was made. It was
not our purpose to obstruct but
to instruct. Somehow, the few
powerful men who control this
nation's highest legislative body
must be convinced that Congress
is not their personal plaything
but that we are working for the
nation and not for a few privileged
groups.
If the lesson doesn't sink in
during the next month, I think
the point will be made Nov. 5,
Election Day.
3 *
Candidates Gird For Elections
For the sixth consecutive year
student elections are being held
at Weldon E. Howitt Junior High
School by the Student Council,
under the direction of Joseph
Lubell, moderator. Campaigning
under way this week, will
be concluded on Monday, September
30, with the student e-lectorate
casting their votes in
voting machines used by parents
in regular elections.
Nominees for president, Elliot
Arditti and Steven Hrivnak,
were selected last week, along
with the other candidates, by the
elected representatives of the
various homerooms. This week
the candidates will make
speeches, hang posters, and buttonhole
potential voters asking
support.
The project is under the supervision
of the Social Studies
Department, headed by chairman,
Frederick Wilkens, working
with Joseph Lubell, faculty
sponsor for the Student Council.
Other nominees are as follows;
vice- president, Robert
Gottlieb and Vivian Mondrone;
corresponding secretary, Barbara
Valinoti and Barbara Goldstein;
recording secretary, Mary
Callahan and Barbara Whitebook;
treasurer, Sandra Posillico and
Stephen Norman; and assistant
treasurer, Barbara Procopiaand
Doryl Berger.
Civic Group To Install Officers
The East Farmingdale Civic
Association will hold its Annual
Installation of Officers and Buffet
on Wednesday, October 2,
8: 00 P. M. at the East Farming-dale
Fire Department Hall.
The Guest of Honor and Installing
Officer will be Joseph A.
Stabile, Supervisor, Town of
Babylon.
Far, ming( fci. le OBSERVER, Thursday, September 26, 19# J
