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North Amityville church to be demolishedÑfinally Many a North Amityville resident received their New Year's wish in this year when the Town decided that the longstanding half-built house of worship on Albany Avenue will be demolished. The community's most vocal opponent, Noel Campbell, said that the incomplete building was an "eyesore," always believed that the problem would be solved, eventually. "People said that because it's a Black area that nothing would be done, but I never believed that," said Campbell. "Steve Bellone is the best Town supervisor we've ever had." Campbell, president of the Russell Court Civic Association in North Amityville lives near the Church of Living Waters at 323 through 347 Albany Avenue, which is really little more than a rusty building frame surrounded by a lot of weeds. According to Town spokesperson, Vanessa Baird- Streeter, the church has until this month to either tear down the church or be in contract to have it torn down. "If that does not happen, the Town will tear it down ourselves," said Baird-Streeter. Campbell and other locals have long complained that the church, which sits in a lot between Sunrise Highway and Great Neck Road, detracted from the area which is struggling with other issues. It took so long for the Town to do something because the property changed hands and had multiple owners. In addition, Bellone said that he was sensitive to the fact that it was a religious institution that was building the church and wanted to give it some leeway. "I understand that there were legal problems preventing the Town from having the church torn down, but its embarrassing having visitors see that when they drive into our community," said Campbell who believes that the area will improve if it's cleaned up. The North Amityville Taxpayers Association has also had its share of complaints about the decrepit building over the years. "We are happy to hear that the situation with the church is rapidly approaching a conclusion," said Jacqueline McCullough, executive director of the group. "The supervisor is a man of his word. He said it would be taken care of and now it will be." "Maybe after we get the church down we can tackle Albany Avenue, clean up the rest of the area," said Campbell. The church's owner, Reverend Howard C. Brigham did not return calls for comment. With one success, Campbell says he's looking to do more and believes that there are just too many churches in the area.
"One church down, many to go. There are five alone on Albany Avenue and I have counted 37 in North Amityville. The Town needs to pass some type of law because the land could be put to better use, like housing. That's next on my agenda," said Campbell.
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