Letter to the Editor: Protect Lynbrook Taxpayers from 'Corporate Greed'

Dear Mayor, Village Trustee’s & all others whom this might concern,

I am a Merton Avenue resident who is at this point beyond upset and frustrated with the travesty that is taking place on my block in our neighborhood. I would appreciate clarification on what is going on with the properties the Morash family is looking to demolish.  I apologize in advance for the lengthy letter but I have 18 years of my life's investment being threatened that I want protected. 

From what I understand, the permit to demolish the three homes was not approved and is on hold until all necessary inspections are done and plans for what will replace the houses are submitted. The fence the Morash family put up around all three properties was put up without a permit and because of safety issues the town is allowing this hideous fence to remain standing even though there is no permit.    

The first question I have is who surveyed the property to determine it was not safe? I live across the street from what is now an eyesore and from what I can see there were no major changes done YET -  a few bushes removed and a decorative fence taken down doesn’t create a safety issue. But, this huge repulsive fence that is held up and kept in place by sand bags most certainly in my opinion is a safety issue.  

The second question I have is, if a permit is required before a fence is put up why is the fence up?  If it’s known the fence was put up without the proper permit will the Morash family be held accountable for not following the town law?  Will they be fined? Will anyone from the town be going to inspect the property before declaring it unsafe? If so, and if there are no issues to be concerned with, will the Morash family be told it has to come down? Will they be fined?

Lastly, if the Morash family does not provide plans for what will replace these three homes what are the chances of this permit being approved?

At this point, after seeing the aggressive way they are still moving forward with preparing to demolish the homes regardless of the rules we all have to follow and with no regard to the negative effect it will have on their Merton and Ocean Avenue “neighbors” and neighborhood I personally question their integrity.  I have come to my own conclusion that they have another agenda for these properties.  

The “rumor” about a catering hall is still circulating and although I don’t think they have plans of putting a catering hall in the Holiday Inn I do believe they have intentions of putting a catering hall in the Rockville Centre Inn. If this is the case the need/want for so much additional parking would make sense. The Rockville Centre Inn has been in such a state of disarray for years, yet the Holiday Inn is so well manicured … Why?

I believe everyone on the board knows what will happen to our property values as well as the quality of life on this block in this neighborhood if the Morash family is approved to demolish the homes.  I question if this was not at the crossroads of two towns but in the heart of either of the towns would this even be an issue? Just because demolishing homes and changing the dynamics of our block and lowering the value of our homes is not illegal it doesn’t mean it's right!   

Why can’t a cease and desist order be issued until all the proper permits, inspections for asbestos, and future plans are submitted?  I believe what they are doing is most certainly, negatively impacting every one of the neighbors and until all of this is resolved, they should be stopped from any further preparation for the demolition.  I believe that if the Mayor and Trustees of Lynbrook agree that the demolition of these homes will be a detriment to our neighborhood on multiple levels than something will be done to stop this.  “When there is a will there is a way.”  Please prove to us that we, the tax paying residents of Lynbrook, are being protected against what I consider corporate greed. 


Best regards, 

Ellen Trione, Lynbrook resident