Wants change in village leadership

To the Editor:   

It has been many years since I moved to Valley Stream. I came, as others did, looking for the suburban dream, good schools for my children, a clean and fresh environment and an opportunity to be free of the problems of urban living. In Valley Stream, we found such a community. My son and daughter thrived in the schools and became successful adults and parents. My wife and I have always enjoyed the quality of life in Valley Stream. Now, as I look around and talk to my neighbors, I am disheartened by a variety of problems I repeatedly hear about and see.

Although I have never seen or heard about a coastal flood anywhere near Valley Stream, I do hear about the gigantic problems confronting my community since it was categorized as a high-risk flood zone. Aside from the merits of such a move by FEMA, I do not hear how my village government vigorously objected to the implementation of the FEMA maps and the flood categorization.

I also notice what I perceive to be a decline in the quality of village services. That has not been accompanied by a decline in village taxes.

In short, my life in Valley Stream has changed for the worse. The flood zone categorization has made my home virtually unmarketable. There are increasing numbers of vacant and undeveloped buildings everywhere, reminiscent of urban blight.

The only thing that has not changed is the political party in power in the village. I think the deteriorating state of the village dictates the need for political change. If we are not ready to accept change, then we must be prepared to accept the inevitable, the ongoing decline of Valley Stream. I urge my fellow Valley Stream citizens to unite behind Joe Margolin, Carol Crupi and Mike LoCascio. The status quo is unacceptable.

Lou Gilman

Valley Stream