We are confused. It has always been our opinion that Farmingdale Village officials were elected by the residents to serve the residents. The Graf administration clearly has demonstrated by its actions, serving the residents is of little or no consequence in their approach to governing. We offer two, and there are many more, specific examples of why the Village of Farmingdale is being ill-served by the Graf administration.

First of all, the village trustee meeting on August 25 was a travesty. The arrogance of our elected officials was on display for the large number of residents attending the meeting. The meeting room was packed to standing room only capacity. After gaveling the meeting to order, with the microphone system turned off (deliberately?), a very nice award was presented to fine young men from one of our local Little League teams. Then Mayor Graf attempted to temporarily adjourn into closed session with the trustees. Fortunately the former Deputy Mayor, Dr. Giminaro, forcefully suggested the closed session should be postponed until the residents had an opportunity to speak. We are grateful to Dr. Giminaro for his "suggestion."

Many residents chose to speak at the meeting. Without exception, each of the speakers asked the administration questions that were pertinent to village operations and policy. Without exception, not one question was answered. We ask you, is this how representative government works? The people ask operational and policy questions and their elected officials stare at the walls? We thought government was "of the people, by the people and for the people."

We should have known where the Mayor was taking his administration after reading the minutes of the July 28 Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees, invoking Section 30 of the Public Officials Law, Deputy Mayor Giminaro was removed from his position. The July 28 minutes indicate Trustee Giminaro "was not given an opportunity to review or discuss this matter, and objected to the proceedings." Graf did not have the common courtesy to discuss this issue with Dr. Giminaro, a longtime and respected member of our community. Obviously this action was only a precursor to the mayor's approach to governing.

Secondly, as lifetime residents of Farmingdale, we were pleased and proud to be invited to attend an award ceremony where we were presented with a Certificate of Merit "honoring us as longtime village residents". Along with more than 50 other residents, eight of whom have lived in Farmingdale for more than 60 years, we were presented with our certificates at Village Hall.

Although the mayor invited us to the ceremony and signed the certificate, "other commitments" prevented him from attending the ceremony he had scheduled. The mayor's "other commitment" (unspecified commitment) obviously was much more important than honoring his constituents. Further, we were moderately insulted that one of the trustees in attendance was dressed more appropriately for a family BBQ than an awards ceremony. Attitudes and appearance of respect for residents, in a majority of the current administration, appear to reside in the unfinished band shell behind the Village Hall.

Disappointed Longtime Residents,

Anton and Joan Steinle