Community watchdog: Utility pole left mess

In Uniondale, a utility pole on Manor Parkway off Front Street snapped more than two years ago, leaving a splintered stanchion. The broken pole, with protruding bolts, and the metal stake that was used to keep it from leaning, are still there. Meanwhile, a half-block away at Alcyon Place and Manor Parkway, there's a thick wire cable that dangles from the pole and trails into the street. I drive a school bus there and hit the cable every day. This is a major area utilized by students who attend both Walnut Street Elementary and Uniondale High Schools. I've called county, town and state politicians in addition to Verizon, which I believe owns the pole, but nothing has been done.

- Jerry LaForgia, Lynbrook

We can't say enough about Verizon spokesman John Bonomo and the crews that fix the problems lickety-split after we contact them. Hours after we called Bonomo on Thursday afternoon, Verizon crews worked overnight to remove the stanchion, old pole and metal stake. They also installed a new pole and got rid of the dangling cable at the corner.

Why was the splintered pole there for two years? Bonomo can't be sure, but often when there's a delay in finishing a project like this, it's because of other utilities involved. Usually, by the time LIPA and Cablevision (which owns Newsday) do their work, Verizon crews have moved on to other projects.

For problems involving Verizon, call 800-VERIZON.