A Brochure That Became a Textbook

Hempstead, Long Island, was on the map, but as "America's largest township," the town fathers believed that its 600,000 inhabitants should know more than that about its government, recreational and historical advantages, its fine schools, beaches and parks. Newcomers especially had only the vaguest idea about the government of their Township to which they paid taxes, or what they were getting for their money. Thinking of its many distinctive features, the Town Board asked Roger G. Allen '37, director of public relations for William A. Battista, Inc., New York, to prepare a brochure for the residents and others. The result has been outstandingly successful. Now used in the public schools as a text on town government, the fortypage brochure is also a guidebook and a demonstration of community planning, which is remarkably graphic.

Allen adapted the functional approach to his project, showing the part town government plays in the daily life of the average resident - legislation, zoning, licenses, highways, water supply, education, historical interest, parking areas, etc. An abundance of photographs, several in color, and a readable text bring into focus a living picture of a community existence in a populated area, and how it deals with its busy traffic, fire hazards, schooling, sports and outdoor recreation. The challenges of lighting highways, reducing navigational hazards at Jones Inlet, maintaining bay wardens' patrol boats, insuring adequate water pressure for fire fighting and a surprising variety of safety and sanitary upkeep are portrayed in a way that is both educational and dramatic.

Allen has accomplished a difficult feat: he has shown the Hempstead taxpayer that he gets his money's worth.