The Town of Babylon won the first round in a lawsuit against Republic Airport related to the construction of two large hangars there. While this certainly is no indication that the end result will be what the Town hopes, which is a final decision to force the airport to put together a long-term visionary plan for the airport that has input from, and full disclosure to the public, it at least opens that subject to discussion. Prior to this, Republic had moved forward, convinced that its status as a facility operated by a state agency, the DOT, provided absolute protection from any local interests or control.

The Town of Oyster Bay has said that it supports Babylon's concerns but unlike that town to the east, Oyster Bay has done little or nothing to take a decisive public and legal stand. And, the silence from Audrey Avenue is much louder than the individual comments made by Councilman Anthony Macagnone on the issue.

Oyster Bay Town officials need to speak up decisively and in unison. With this new decision, they have an opportunity to join forces with Babylon and become part of a movement to protect their citizens who are also impacted by growth and management of the airport. Failure to do so is an abdication of their sworn obligations.