Letter: Layoffs at Old Bethpage will hurt
Village blacksmith Chris Van Wickler of Huntington would be among those whose jobs would probably be cut if layoffs occur at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Credit: Steven Sunshine
As I read the article, "Critics say some park sites would become history" [News, June 27], I was overwhelmed with emotions -- none of which are positive.
While I understand that Nassau County must make difficult decisions to remedy its fiscal crisis, the layoffs of eight full-time employees from Old Bethpage Village Restoration are nothing short of a tragedy.
This living-history museum is one of the county's richest gems. As the state slashes emphasis on social studies in the classroom, the village remains a place for schools, camps, scouts and parents to turn to teach kids about our rich past. Replacing skilled, knowledgeable craftspeople and historians with a map and an audio tour will just never compare.
Where else can we show kids that tools didn't always come from Home Depot, wool sweaters didn't come from Abercrombie, and farms weren't high-tech cyber creations like Farmville on Facebook? They were the life force of a village with living, breathing farmers and live animals.
Karen Hoenscheid, East Northport
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