Gwen Young -- Newsday.com

Gwen Young

Citizen Watchdog

Community Watchdog: 20-year sewer problem solved in under an hour

June 14, 2009

I've lived in my home for almost 20 years and have had a problem with a sewer cover since I moved here. The sewer cover doesn't sit on the pipe properly, so it is raised above the sidewalk by about four inches. I'm afraid someone will trip on it. Over the years, I've called the Town of North Hempstead many times but no one can help me.

Recent columns

Community Watchdog: Brookhaven fixes Pine Road potholes

June 7, 2009

I am extremely frustrated with the Town of Brookhaven's Highway Department. I have called seven times in recent weeks to get 15 potholes repaired on Pine Road in Coram between Patchogue-Mount Sinai Road and Timber Ridge Drive. The road looks like it's been bombed by a few hundred grenades. I am ruining the alignment of my car. -- Lauren Vigliotti, Coram
Community Watchdog: State slow with funds to help Marion Lake

April 25, 2009

"We've spent years trying to save Marion Lake in East Marion from Phragmites australis, an invasive weed that crowds the native plant life and causes wildlife to leave. We obtained permits from the state Department of Environmental Conservation for a three-phase project that began in December. Phase 2 must be done this spring. We were approved for $60,000 partial reimbursement of our grant money through the DEC, but the state is in such financial trouble that we can't get paid. If we don't start Phase 2 soon, we'll lose all the work and money."
The case of the owner-less tree

April 4, 2009

I have a piece of tree hanging from a wire in front of my house. Eventually it will dry out and fall on somebody, or fall through a car window. There's a school bus stop there and I don't want any children to be injured. I have contacted LIPA, Cablevision and Verizon and they all tell me it's not theirs. Somebody's got to help before someone gets hurt.
Speed bumps, bad corner

March 29, 2009

There is a section of Prospect Avenue in the Village of Sea Cliff that has speed bumps. I didn't think they were allowed on public streets. I would love to have them on mine, as cars race to and from the Glen Cove Railroad Station. Do you know how my neighbors and I could get the Town of Hempstead to agree to this?