Regarding Cathy Cavallo's recent letter criticizing my reminder to residents about using bike helmets: I make no apologies for seeking to protect the health and safety of our precious family members.

Ms. Cavallo claims that, "We can watch out for our own children's recreational safety." However, as any parent knows, children sometimes have the tendency to push the edge of the envelope when it comes to safety. Statistics show that wearing bike helmets saves lives, and as long as I am privileged to serve the 14th Legislative District, I will continue to convey life-saving reminders to my constituents.

At the same time, and despite Ms. Cavallo's assertions to the contrary, I have dealt head-on with many of the major issues facing our citizens:

* I sponsored legislation that led to the reassessment of Nassau County, and our ability to accept $5 million in state funds for that purpose;

* I also sponsored 'original' legislation that ended decades-long discrimination against disabled veterans;

* Just last month, I proposed local legislation that would protect consumers by requiring bottled water companies to list a toll-free phone number on all bottled water to provide chemical content information;

* As vice-chairman of the Legislature's Finance Committee, I worked diligently to significantly improve the four budgets proposed by County Executive Gulotta during the Republican majority tenure. During that same time, the Democratic minority offered no budget of their own.

In contrast, during our first year as the minority, I joined with my Republican colleagues in voting against the Democratic budget which contained a 15.4 percent property tax increase. Ultimately, we forced the Democrats to do what they should have done from the start, making them cut spending, slashing the Democratic tax increase by more than half.

* I also voted to streamline and merge county departments and I voted for legislation to cut the county's deficit by more than $100 million.

I would certainly not describe my record of accomplishment "complacency," as Ms. Cavallo claims. Perhaps she needs to read the Farmingdale Observer more often to learn about all the programs and services I have sponsored as county legislator.

My philosophy in public office is as follows: I will tackle the major issues facing all the county's residents while also taking the time to help solve the problems of thousands of individuals and families from throughout the district. These problems range from potholes and streetlights, to stop signs, crossing guards, and electrical outages. To help resolve these issues, I also act as a liaison to various government agencies on the village, town, state and federal levels.

I have also made available free mammography and prostate screenings at convenient locations, as well as lending my support to our school, business and community-based organizations.

I am proud of my record as a county legislator, and, with the support of my neighbors on Election Day, look forward to continuing my service to the residents of the 14th Legislative District.