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Public was represented I would like the opportunity to respond to your September 26 editorial entitled Public Projects should Have the Public’s Input. I, along with many other members of Babylon Village organizations, had the distinct pleasure of serving on the Memorial Garden Committee. I take issue with your conclusion that there was no public input in the planning or funding of the Memorial Garden. In fact, the committee was comprised of representatives from the Babylon Village Women’s Club, the Babylon Beautification Society, the Lions Club, Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce. In addition, members of three of the families in the Village who lost loved ones served on the committee. Representative of the Village of Babylon Highway and Parks Departments participated on the committee as did the consultant to the Village Greenhouse. The Board of Trustees of the Village and the Mayor served on the committee, as well. In my opinion, the "public" could not have been better represented in the planning of the Memorial Garden. Likewise, I disagree with your conclusion that the public was not permitted to contribute funds to offset the cost of the Memorial Garden. Rather than select specific groups to participate in the funding, the Village ensured that all residents of Babylon Village contributed, and, thereby, all have a sense of public ownership in the Memorial Garden. Rather than excluding the public, I think the village went out of its way to include the public in the planning and funding of the Memorial Garden. It is certainly a place for all to go to reflect and remember. The Village should be congratulated on this wonderful project and not criticized. Kelly Daniele, Babylon.
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