Town Councilwoman Blasts Supervisor For Delaying Playground Vote

Hempstead Town Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney criticized Supervisor Anthony Santino for delaying the vote to build a playground on Wynsum Avenue in Merrick. But Santino countered, saying the vote was delayed because the community couldn't agree if it wanted the facility built or not.

At the Town Board meeting on Tuesday, the board voted to delay decision on building a playground in South Merrick. It would have been funded by $75,000 from Nassau County, and would have been a modest playground with a toddler play structure, a swing set and a slide.

According to King Sweeney, a town survey of residents in a five-block radius from 2016 showed residents were in favor of the project 2-to-1. But at the meeting, those who came to speak both for and against the playground were evenly split.

"The supervisor indicated that the measure was not defeated — the decision was reserved," said Town of Hempstead Spokesman Mike Deery. "The supervisor had indicated that he hoped reserving the decision would give the parties an opportunity to come together and resolve their differences."

But King Sweeney, who has been in an open feud with Santino for months, saw the vote differently.

"Today’s vote to table a well drafted inter-municipal agreement is a reprehensible act of political pettiness by the supervisor," she said in a statement. "Santino today voted to deprive young children and their families of a place to play, exercise, socialize and make new friends. His vote delays creating a small community playground that would help bring the South Merrick community and their families closer together."

According to King Sweeney, Santino expressed his support of the project previously. She said he wrote two letters to supporters of the project, one in July, 2016 and the other this May, offering his support and giving them a "green light" to start fundraising.

Deery said that Santino's plan is to have the decision tabled until the residents in the area come to a consensus, either for or against. When that happens, the Town Board will add the matter back to the calendar for a vote.

"As the Councilwoman for Merrick, and a mother of two young children, I find today’s vote by the supervisor and his 'majority' to be a slap in the face to the taxpaying young families of Merrick," said King Sweeney. "Santino should be ashamed of himself."

Photo: Patch