In response to the July 25-31 letter to the editor “Politicians only care about votes,” I would like to clarify some inaccuracies.
The letter refers to the ongoing construction of a comfort station at Little Bay Park, a project I funded almost nine years ago during my tenure on the City Council. The construction also includes the expansion of the parking lot, funded by former U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman.
The writer alleged that the construction has damaged the state’s protected wetlands. The fact is that the city Parks Department has taken great pains to ensure that all the necessary permits were acquired so the job was done right, which has accounted for much of the delays in bringing this project to fruition.
To allay anyone’s fears, there has been no evidence that the construction involved the destruction of any wetlands. In fact, the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which has the responsibility for protecting wetlands, reviewed the project and determined that no wetlands are involved.
I hope this clarifies this issue for the writer and the public.
Tony Avella
State Senator
(D-Bayside)
