(10/30/06) WANTAGH - When Nassau voters head to the polls next week, environmentalists say one lever will decide the fate of the county's remaining open space.

On the ballot Tuesday, November 7 is a $100 million bond proposal. If approved, the Nassau County Legislature would receive a green light to purchase any and all of the open space lingering. Environmentalists claim the window of opportunity to preserve these last bits of land closes if the proposal were to fail. In recent years open space votes have encountered little trouble passing and experts predict a similar landslide approval for the current bond.

Some people in the area worry about the Legislature receiving such a large check. Their concerns stem from the fierce politicking for which the body is known. However, environmentalists say the bill's structure puts the power of choice directly in the community's hands.