It has been almost 18 years since my perspective of living on Long Island has been permanently changed.
It started when my parents moved from their home in Smithtown to Florida.
On the first visit to my parents, I was driving my mom and dad around Boynton Beach.
My mom asked me if I felt anything when I was driving.
I was driving their new Cadillac and it was rather luxurious.
I said that there was nothing wrong with the car, it drove well, and was like driving on air.
As with so many times in life, my mother’s words were meaningful and unforgettable.
All she said was “no potholes.”
This was an epiphany.
I have lived my whole life on Long Island and had become immune to the roads conditions.
From that moment on, my life had changed.
I have been fortunate enough to own some nice vehicles over the years.
I am reluctant to have tires and rims on my cars that are low profile.
My cars rattle from the constant gyrations in the roads.
Once I returned home from that visit, I could only notice the constant “feel” of the roads here.
We may not have crater sized potholes everywhere, but we certainly have too many roads that are sadly maintained.
I realize that because of our climate, and the shear volume of traffic that we have, that having perfect roads is unreasonable.
I have called the Emergency Management of North Hempstead numerous times over the years to report dangerous road conditions.
Most of the time, that have been responsive to getting some patchwork done in a timely manner.
There are roads that are not Nassau County maintained, and I have had to call the state Department of Highway services as well.
To be fair, they have been as responsive, but it takes longer to see results.
Most of the time it is quick patchwork, and as soon as the rain and freezing starts, it is if nothing has been done.
While I am fully aware of budgetary restraints and the enormity of roads there are to maintain, it still baffles me why the cheapest method of repairs is accepted.
For the taxes that we all pay, one thing that needs continuous maintenance is our roads and infrastructure.
Trump messages throughout his campaign was to help fix the infrastructure and roads.
Let’s hope that his promise is fulfilled.
My question is, “Do you feel That?”
Corey Stein
Roslyn Heights
Readers Write: Make our roads great again
