PETITIONS OPPOSING THIRD TRACK PROJECT
DELIVERED TO CONGRESSWOMAN MCCARTHY'S
OFFICE ON MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2008

Mayor Phil Guarnieri and Trustee Tom Tweedy, along with representatives from
the villages of Bellerose, New Hyde Park, Garden City,  Mineola and
Westbury presented Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy with petitions
 signed by over 10,000 residents in opposition to the proposed MTA/LIRR third track project.

Mayor Guarnieri's statement at press conference:

     "Over the past two months, an extraordinary effort by communities along the proposed third track corridor which includes the villages of Floral Park, Bellerose, Garden City, New Hyde Park, Westbury and Mineola and some 136 organizations and governments officials, all of which reside in the 4th Congressional District have gathered some 10,000 signatures urging Representative McCarthy to join with her constituents in opposition to the third track.

     Since the MTA wants Federal money and Federal oversight and in light of the fact that Representative McCarthy co-sponsored a bill that specifically earmarked the funding explicitly for the "Third Track Expansion Project studies," it is imperative that she now stands with us so that the elected representatives, civic and community leaders and the overwhelming majority of constituents who reside in her district forge an undivided and united front against this onslaught of our communities and way of life.

     This is especially relevant since from the onset of this project and throughout the scoping process, the public commenting period and until only recently, the MTA/LIRR has asserted that the track expansion was necessary to accommodate the so-called reverse commuters (those traveling from New York City to Long Island).  This justification remained unaltered despite the fact that we demonstrated during the scoping hearings that the reverse commute was without any basis in reality.

     Shortly before it filed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, however, the MTA/LIRR abandoned the "reverse commute" rationale and now maintains that his 1.3 billion dollar project is necessary because a new track is needed to by-pass the trains that break down so that the other tracks remain open for ongoing train traffic.

     The new rationale is even more troubling than the reverse commute.  It makes no sense to spend vast amounts of taxpayer's dollars to construct a track rather than simply investing in improving the operation and functionality of the trains that do not work.

     Finally, the MTA/LIRR filed the DEIS with the Federal Transit Administration for review and comment more than three weeks ago.  Since that time, it has refused to release a copy to all inquiring parties, including the villages along the main line corridor and the media.  The excuse given for this resistance is that the DEIS may contain errors that need to be corrected.  We believe that this is nothing more than a cynical response to a legitimate request for information.

     In order to have a clear understanding of the MTA/LIRR's proposal, as well as be in a position to provide meaningful input during the DEIS hearings, it is imperative that we be furnished with a copy of the DEIS now!

      We then call upon Representative McCarthy to come to our aid with all dispatch in obtaining this critical document so it can come under complete public view and scrutiny.  As it presently stands, the MTA/LIRR expects the DEIS to be released by the FTA in May.  During the months of June and July, the MTA/LIRR plans to hold the DEIS hearings.  Both the timing and duration of these hearings will greatly limit, if not preclude, the full participation by all these who have relevant information and comments to place in the record.

     Because this is such a monumental project, replete with numerous and complicated economic, environmental and quality of life issues, we implore Representative McCarthy to use all her influence to assure that there will be public hearings in all the communities along the Main Line Corridor and that the hearing period for the DEIS should be expanded to at least 180 days.

     The representatives from all levels of government gather here today to join in pleading, urging and insisting that Representative McCarthy express the will of the people of the 4th Congressional District and not the high priced lobbyists and special interest groups pushing a billion dollar boondoggle that is not only unwanted, but demonstrably unneeded."

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