Editorial: Keep trying to protect Carmans

The simple act of setting a public hearing on a revised plan to protect the Carmans River proved too much for the Brookhaven Town Board on Tuesday.

As feared, several board members opposed parts of the plan, which would transfer development away from the river into less environmentally fragile areas in town, where developers could build multifamily housing. We need more rental housing, but it's a dirty word to some board members and to angry residents. The usual fact-free accusations got thrown around: Multifamily housing sends a lot of kids to school districts. (Studies show it doesn't.) It attracts undesirable folks. (Actually, young professionals, like those on Supervisor Mark Lesko's own staff, are fairly typical residents).

The end result of the ugly evening: No hearing was set. To save the river, Lesko must keep trying.