I watched and read with keen interest and at times dismay as some made broad derogatory remarks about Elmont. What was most troubling is the self-pronouncements of Elmont’s demise. A view I find patently false and irresponsible.
As some gazed into half empty glasses, we in Parkhurst were busy selecting scholarship recipients for the 2023 Elmont Memorial High School graduating class.
As some gazed into half empty glasses, we in Parkhurst were busy convening a 2 month long email and public/private conversation to facilitate resolutions to problems presented by our residents who reside within the shadow of an unfriendly business establishment. In the quiet of conversation we now report that progress has been made - significant progress. Are we finished? No, not yet but progress has been made.
As some gazed into half empty glasses, we in Parkhurst have been documenting and sharing our community concerns with local, state and federal officials, and we are seeing marked progress in the western corner of Elmont known as The Parkhurst Civic Association. Yes, Parkhurst is planning, planning on planning and getting the job done for the 900+ homes in the Civic (members or not). Are we finished? No, not yet but progress has been made.
As some gazed into half empty glasses, we in Parkhurst made note of residents - past and present. Mr. Crichlow, Mr. Samuels, Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Parker, Mr. & Mrs. Banks, Ms. Polo, The Halops, Mrs. Mascol and countless others without whom Parkhurst simply could not have survived. For us, they are the inspiration to carry on. You see Parkhurst is firmly grounded in who we were, and who we are!
All that said, note that if you consider yourself a leader, you quietly go about the work of making the community better, or you write the next “scare of the season” political ad campaign.
Here are a few facts about the Elmont that some deride!
Parkhurst is home to one of the top performing high schools in America - bar none!
The graduation rate of Elmont Memorial High School is 97%, which is higher than the New York state average of 83%.
Median household income in Elmont, NY is approximately $100,923.
There are more dentists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, educators, etc. per capita in Elmont than 80% of the rest of America.
Crime in Elmont is lower and often comparable to communities some cite here as desirable.
So why do I mention this? Are we who others say we are or are we who we are? This group has to decide.
Of course the aforementioned view of Elmont is not the whole story. Some of us have neighbors who blast music all night; parts of Hempstead Tpke, Mechem Ave., Elmont Rd. and Linden Blvd. need some (lots) of TLC. These are primarily business corridors - Where is the Elmont Chamber of Commerce? You know, the group that is complicit in the demise of their “members” save one by supporting the skating rink monstrosity on Hempstead Tpke? Where are they?
On the loud music into the early morning hours; on installing clothes lines in the front yard, using the sun as a clothes dryer; on tossing spent wrappers, cups and the remnants of the fast-food onto the streets, sidewalks and lawns, on speeding, etc. In ancient times we would say those people have no “broughtupsy”… and THAT IS THE ISSUE. We should not have to call the police to compel a resident to be a good neighbor, to be considerate, to respect the laws and mores of the community they decided to settle in… NO!
Some of those people may well be the product of an upbringing that failed them as they are failing their children by being horrible examples for future generations. Others may have brought with them customs that are not a part of a modern society. Regardless, false notions of privilege and hyper-selfishness is the issue. If Elmont is changing as many have said, it is not primarily a problem of poor services (though we get poor service in both the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County), it is a problem of piss-poor attitudes toward our fellow persons. And that’s not an Elmont only issue, just pay attention to SCOTUS - they are again codifying in law man’s inhumanity to man and taking rights away “left and right”.
So on this the “4th of July” as bombs burst in air - pause, breathe, be safe then let's get back to doing the quiet work required of leaders.