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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Editorial: New Parks Commish Better Get Busy



It took him long enough. Bill de Blasio finally got around to naming a Parks Commissioner. He selected Mitchell Silver who had been Planning Director in Raleigh, North Carolina. We’re pleased to know he’s actually from New York and even attendedMidwood High School in Brooklyn. So, it’s not as if he’s coming here without a clue.
Well, maybe it’s a bit early to know whether he has a clue. Although he better have one. Parks is critically important to Rockaway. Our beaches are the main reason so many of us choose to live here. The beaches (and the boardwalk) drive the local economy. And the beaches offer protection.
If there’s no economy and there’s no protection, Rockaway withers and dies. Parks has to be aware of this and the new guy better catch on fast.
Liam Kavanagh was the interim or acting commissioner since the mayor was sworn in. Many have had issues with Kavanagh but the guy showed up at meeting after meeting. At a lot of those meetings he met some angry people but he never ran and hid. We often deride our officials for their lack of apparent concern. Say what you will, but Kavanagh cared.
We hope he sticks around long enough for his care and concern for Rockaway to rub off on Mitchell Silver
.

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