As I read this article, I thought back to a time when I was a child living in New Hyde Park (and still do) going to the Floral Park Pool.
At that time, I was 3 years old, so I didn’t know what an “outsider” was.
Back in 1969, New Hyde Park (Town of Hempstead) didn’t have a residential pool, so Floral Park gladly accepted us to enjoy the summer with their neighbors.
Of course, my parents and other New Hyde Park paid their membership fees.
Everything was beautiful.
As I write this, I am looking at my 1969 Floral Park Pool Pass.
Today, I am a 50- year-old man and am saddened by what I read.
There are only going to be 40 New Hyde Park memberships and the pool is only open for the summer.
It is very sad that in this day and age that Nadia Holubnyczyj-Ortiz and many other residents of Floral Park feel that we (New Hyde Park residents) are “outsiders” and make Floral Park residents less secure.
We are your neighbors, not your enemies and if the situation was in reverse, we would welcome you.
Enjoy the summer .
Andrew Dooley
New Hyde Park
