I read with interest your coverage of the Assembly-redistricting plan (March 1) as it relates to the Farmingdale community.

To be perfectly clear, it has been and continues to be my honor to represent the people of Farmingdale. As your neighbor in Massapequa, I know the concerns and needs of this community and I have worked hard to represent your interests. I love serving Farmingdale and hope to be able to continue to do so until the voters decide otherwise, not because a Democrat operative in Albany decided the fate of the people in Farmingdale with a stroke of the pen.

For many residents this might appear to be a mundane topic or an issue that only concerns politicians. That would be a misconception. The Assembly Democrat plan to cut Farmingdale into two Assembly districts would at first blush be objectionable in and of itself. This plan not only carves Farmingdale into two Assembly districts, but the Village of Farmingdale would be represented by a Suffolk County Assemblymember from the Town of Huntington. Although this particular Assemblymember has my utmost respect as a colleague and friend, it is clear that it makes more sense to keep the interest of the community intact and represented by a Nassau County Assemblymember whether it be myself or any other citizen who occupies that office.

I have represented the Farmingdale community including the village for almost six years now and have helped thousands of residents in one form or another. I have built working relationships with your local government officials, the PTA, your school board trustees, administrators and teachers. I have lectured at the schools. I have held public forums in the community and I have attended hundreds of events in Farmingdale. Working with my colleagues in the state senate, many of you know that I have been successful in obtaining millions of dollars for our community. I maintain an open door policy and have purposely located my district office in the heart of the 12th Assembly District which happens to be on the borderline of Farmingdale and Massapequa.

The Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment is holding a hearing on the proposed state Senate and Assembly districts. I ask the people of Farmingdale to voice opposition to this plan by attending a public hearing at the Suffolk County Legislature Auditorium at 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown, NY, on Monday, March 18, at 10 a.m. Additionally, I encourage you to write letters of support to the editors to keep Farmingdale village in the 12th Assembly District in Nassau County, or you can send your letters to my District Office at 200 Boundary Avenue, Massapequa, New York.

Steven L. Labriola

Member of Assembly

12th District