Civic Leaders Take Shots at Schmitt

Wow. Normally civic leaders play nice with elected officials because they can use the help. Here we have two letters to the October 7th Massapequan Observer taking shots at Schmitt.

To the editor:
This letter is in response to your cover story of the Sept. 23 issue, entitled "Field of Dreams' Grand Opening Oct. 1." We were disappointed to read that you covered only a small part of the story. You wrote that Gary Slavin "assembled a coalition of youth sports advocates, civic organization heads, business leaders and school officials." In April 2003, they held a "raise the roof " meeting. As far as the "Field of Dreams" is concerned, Gary Slavin was a "Johnny come lately."
In 1998, Legislator Peter Schmitt was in favor of building a BJ's Warehouse on this property, with the Massapequa Chamber's support as evidenced by public statements made by Mr. Schmitt at the time. The Joint Council of Civics of the Massapequas organized a meeting attended by hundreds of local residents.
Fortunately for the children, Emil Coppola spearheaded the stopping of this ill-advised plan. Mr. Coppola, then president of the Joint Council of Civics of the Massapequas, organized local civic organizations and sport teams to ensure our elected officials heard loud and clear that our community did not want a BJ's built here and instead wanted the space to be used as fields for the local children.
The fact is that without Mr. Coppola, this property would not have been available for anything, let alone a "Field of Dreams." Unfortunately, Mr. Coppola passed away and is not able to dispute your summary of the issue. However, many people know the truth and we would hope that next time you print all the facts surrounding the "Field of Dreams " issue.
Bill Manton
President
Carol Gordon
Vice President
Breezy Point Civic Association, Inc

To the Editor:
While your story, "Field of Dreams' Grand Opening Oct. 1," was interesting, it lacked essential facts that resulted in a "dream" becoming a reality. Nowhere in your article was the name Emil Coppola mentioned.
Sometime in 1998, Legislator Peter Schmitt wanted this parcel of land to be purchased by BJ's Wholesale Warehouse. Emil Coppola, then president of the Joint Council of Civic Associations of the Massapequas, arranged for a meeting to discuss this important issue. Emil and other civic leaders and hundreds of residents attended this meeting and let Peter Schmitt know that they were against this project. And that's when Emil began his crusade to use this property as a community ballpark for the various leagues.
Emil fought long and hard to convince civic leaders and residents that we needed this ballpark for our youngsters; that the one-time monetary gain we would receive for the sale of this property was insignificant in comparison to the benefits the community would realize by having a much-needed ballpark for our youngsters, and that God was not making any more property - so we had better keep what we had. He worked very closely with the people of the Lacrosse League and other leagues. He was very convincing in his arguments, and he kept spreading the word about the need to be unified in voicing the need for a community ballpark. The residents rallied round the cause.
It wasn't until the spring of 2003 that the Town of Oyster Bay scheduled another meeting regarding this issue. County Executive Tom Suozzi, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, all the sports leagues, community leaders and residents met again. And again the community echoed the words Emil Coppola had been shouting for years, "We need a ballpark for our youngsters."
Shortly after this meeting Emil had many tragedies in his life. His wife became very ill and passed away, and he also succumbed to an illness and died. Emil, who had a heart as big as his frame, was and is still sorely missed.
And unfortunately, Emil never had the chance to know that all of his work resulted in the "Field of Dreams." Many civic leaders had hoped that the park, or at least a section of the park, would be dedicated to the man who started the ball rolling. As far as I'm concerned, the ballpark will be always be known as "the house that Emil built!"
Those of us who knew him, know that Emil is in his own field of dreams and is happy in the knowledge that the youth of Massapequa will have a ballpark. Rest easy, Emil. You hit another home run!
Rose Hobbins
President - North Massapequa Civic Association

The letter also appeared in the October 5th Massapequa Post:

Dear Editor:
While your story was interesting, it lacked essential facts that resulted in a "dream"becoming a reality. Nowhere in your article was the name Emil Coppola mentioned.
Sometime in 1998, Legislator Peter Schmitt wanted this parcel of land to be purchased by BJ’s Wholesale Warehouse. Emil Coppola, then president of the Joint Council of Civic Associations of the Massapequas, arranged for a meeting to discuss this important issue. Emil and other civic leaders and hundreds of residents attended this meeting and let Peter Schmitt know that they were against this project. And that’s when Emil began his crusade to use this property as a community ballpark for the various leagues.
Emil fought long and hard to convince civic leaders and residents that we needed this ballpark for our youngsters; that the one-time monetary gain we would receive for the sale of this property was insignificant in comparison to t he benefits the community would realize by having a much-needed ballpark for our youngsters, and that God was not making any more property - so we had better keep what we had. He worked very closely with the people of the Lacrosse League and other leagues. He was very convincing in his arguments, and he kept spreading the word about the need to be unified in voicing the need for a community ballpark. The residents rallied round the cause.
It wasn’t until the spring of 2003 that the Town of Oyster Bay scheduled another meeting regarding this issue. County Executive Tom Suozzi, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, all the sports leagues, community leaders and residents met again. And again the community echoed the words Emil Coppola had been shouting for years, "We need a ballpark for our youngsters."
Shortly after this meeting Emil had many tragedies in his life. His wife became very ill and passed away, and he also succumbed to an illness and died. Emil, who had a heart as big as his frame, was and is still sorely missed.
And unfortunately, Emil never had the chance to know that all of his work resulted in the "Field of Dreams." Many civic leaders had hoped that the park, or at least a section of the park, would be dedicated to the man who started the ball rolling. As far as I’m concerned, the ballpark will always be known as "the house that Emil built!"
Those of us who knew him know that Emil is in his own field of dreams and is happy in the knowledge that the youth of Massapequa will have have a ballpark. Rest easy, Emil. You hit another home run.
Rose Hobbins, president
North Massapequa Civic
Association, Inc.


So much for Schmitt an his "Open Space" rhetoric. We wonder if the League of Conservation Voters knew about this before they endorsed him.