Elmont Online

Jack and Dean, if you build it they will come!  I grew up in the Elmont Area, and I remember what it once was. I remember what it was like in the Seventies when movie stars and professional athletes from all over the world would come to my little Elmont.

I remember Saturday mornings playing baseball at the “cage”, (the little baseball field right off the Cross Island near Hempstead Turnpike). I remember being in the outfield and watching the stretch limousines driving by and wondering which movie star has come to my town?

As a small child, in my oversized uniform, I remembered that astral feeling that if the “Superstars” and the “Prize Athletes” are coming to my town – then my town must be special.

The feeling of pride about my little town gave me that nostalgic feeling that I was part of something great.

However, as I got a bit older and “off track betting” became popular - my little town was no longer “chic”; and my little town was no longer “a la mode”. The limousines started to dwindle. The Stars began to fade, and my little town was no longer special.

Psychologically, since I was no longer living in a special place, then part of me felt that I was no longer “special”. My little town no longer intrigued people because people forgot Elmont. They forgot the history, they forgot the joys, they forgot the pride, and… they forgot me.

“This little light of mine…no longer shined”.

However, still with love of my community, I went off to college, then subsequently Law School. And unlike many of my friends, after college…I returned.

Now I am an adult, married to a beautiful wife, and wonderful children; I wonder do my children see their community like I do? I wonder, would my children return to Elmont after College? Would they want to raise my Grandchildren in Elmont? Or would they laugh at me when I would talk about Elmont past?

Well, lighting may strike. The vision is in place. That wonderful tract of land, “Belmont Race Track” that once was the “Pillar of Pride” in my community, has a chance to hold this little town of mine high once more.

That pillar in my community can restore pride in Elmont once more.

An opportunity has come whereby Belmont Race Track can have a - Casino nightlife – a mall – fancy restaurants – hotels and a Sport Stadium. In short, we can have all the benedictions of Times Square and all the charities of the Meadowlands walking distance from our homes.

This means that I can hold my beautiful wife’s hand while walking a few blocks to enjoy an unprecedented quality of life… as we grow into old age.

Moreover, my children’s youth will be enriched by the experiences of the revitalization.  They will have the opportunity to play “the beautiful game” at a “beautiful facility”.

Teams and Families throughout the Island and the Tri-State area would chomp at the bits to come to Elmont. Thereafter, our guest rather than going immediately home they would stay to take advantage of all that Elmont would have to offer.

In addition, with this influx of new businesses, jobs for young people would be created.

Thousands will come, Jack and Dean. If you build it they will come!

Belmont Race Track, our field of Dreams.