Editorial: Involve public in MacArthur's future

Right in the middle of the Long Island MacArthur Airport terminal building last Tuesday night, crowds of curious Islip citizens lined up to look at a series of boards with the earliest parts of the new master plan for the airport's growth. The Town of Islip got permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to open it to public view earlier than usual for such a process.

That early peek was a good idea, so long as the public gets further chances to comment on the plan as it develops. Supervisor Tom Croci promises there will definitely be further opportunities for Islip citizens to see what's proposed for the town's airport.

Croci wants MacArthur to grow and flourish, to be a good neighbor, and to provide more flight options for travelers. Those are all important goals, but balancing them correctly won't be easy. That has to start with a good master plan, with ongoing public input.